WISE Training Services launched their new Employment Services training program, ‘Road To Success’ on Monday July 18th. Road To Success is about giving job seekers an understanding of who they are, what they are capable of, what steps they need to take to remove barriers to getting a job, who can help, and what they can expect as part of the WISE process. The program provides a foundation for job seekers to build skills from. After completing the ‘Road To Success’ program, job seekers can then move on to complete an accredited or pre vocational program.

WISE National Training Manager, Linda Wheldon, describes the program saying: “It is designed to support job seekers in obtaining necessary skills and developing a positive outlook about gaining employment. By working on shifting their mindset, job seekers go to their Case Managers feeling more positive about their capabilities and more engaged about getting a job”.

The new program is comprised of five stages, each designed to build on the previous one. The WISE Training Services program builds on a job seeker’s existing skills sets, enabling them to work more effectively with the WISE Employment operational sites, whose core focus is placing them into employment. Job seekers who are job-ready complete stage one to ensure they have all the essential elements required for employers. This initial five-day course helps them outline clear steps to achieving their employment goals. Stages two to five are then completed at six-week intervals, each with an emphasis on identifying what is holding them back and agreeing on actions to remove the negative distractions in their lives. Reflection is a key, ongoing element. By reflecting on progress between stages, job seekers can celebrate their achievements and hone in on any barriers to employment. In short, the five stages are:
1. Essentials (5 days): educate about getting job-ready, set SMART goals
2. Hurdles (4days): Identify possible barriers, understand how to overcome or avoid them
3. You and Yours (3 days): Learn why health and wellbeing matter to employment
4. Changes (3 days): Learn to recognise and deal with barriers as they arise
5. Work Experience (1 day): Identify areas of interest and learn about their Centrelink requirements related to the Work Experience Stage

Road To Success is a holistic program, as opposed to the previous individual-module program. This program is a highly interactive, activity-based process. Trainers guide a reflective process, leading job seekers to take ownership of getting a job and pursuing a career. The sessions draw on group synergy, with job seekers finding strength and motivation from their peers.

“The focus for Training Operations is to enrich skill sets, leaving the Site Operations to focus on finding the jobs. Road To Success aims to marry these goals,” Linda Wheldon explained, “We want to get job seekers to a point where they approach things by asking what positive actions they can take to improve their lives and get a job, rather than thinking about the reasons why they can’t. If successful, this has positive flow-on effects for their families and communities.”

At the end of the day, Road To Success is what WISE is all about – empowering people.