Metro South Health’s Pathways to Inclusion employment program has begun at Logan Hospital providing 15 successful applicants with pre-employment training.

Project Officer Glyn Dodt said the first program brought together eight JobActive providers through lead provider HELP Enterprises, State Departments of Employment, Small Business & Training and Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and TAFE Queensland.

He said the Commonwealth Department of Prime Minister & Cabinet and Vocational Training & Employment Centres (VTEC) were also involved in the recruiting, training and employment of up to 19 casual administrative and operational staff.

“This is the first broadly collaborative State-Commonwealth Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-focussed employment initiative of its type nationally and now there is interest in the model’s success and potential for replicating across Australia,” he said.

“Eight of our 15 selected applicants identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.”

Glyn said 47 job seekers participated in shortlisting and interviews at Logan Hospital in September for Environmental Services and Patient Administration Services roles at Logan Hospital, Food Services roles at QEII Hospital and Operational Services roles at Redland Hospital.

“Fifteen successful applicants commenced pre-employment training on 8 October following a literacy and numeracy support and VPD vaccination program undertaken with the support of our partners,” Glyn said.

“As part of pre-employment training, participants undertook Certificate III modules covering service standards and workplace health and safety at TAFE’s Loganlea Campus in their first week with a further two weeks on-the-job TAFE training and mentoring.

“Metro South and work area orientation hosted at Logan Hospital, and ongoing VTEC support for both employees and managers is also provided for up to 26 weeks.”