Dave, Nasser, Waheed, James, Terence, Karl, Billy, Ivan, Eugenio and Lieb graduated from the Greener Futures program last month.By Bridget Cook
THE first round of graduates from Mission Australia’s Greener Futures program are now ready to take the next step to employment.
Eighteen people graduated from the six-month program last month and were presented with certificates at a special event to mark the completion on 19 November.
The Greener Futures program, run by Mission Australia and the Dandenong-Cranbourne RSL, provides Greater Dandenong and Casey residents with free products installed in their homes by skilled local trades people.
The products, including showerheads, light bulbs and seals for cracks are meant to save householders money on electricity, water and heating bills. The graduates were ‘trade assistants’, who helped install the products including light bulbs and low-flow showerheads.
Mission Australia’s Community Engagement and Transitional Support Worker Brigitte House said the program employed people who needed a transition to permanent employment.
“We employ them for six months,” she said.
“The whole idea is for the program to be a transition for them so they can then move onto a better job. It is a stepping stone to a better future.”
A new set of people was employed in the program the following week.
John Filmer from the Dandenong-Cranbourne RSL said he was very pleased to support Mission Australia in the venture.
“The graduates were really inspiring … I was very impressed,” he said.
“The staff are also perfect in both the way they train the employees and the relationship they share with the apprentices,” he said.
“The program is so worthwhile.”
Members of the Dandenong-Cranbourne RSL can call the RSL for more information or to book a retrofit. Anyone else interested in taking up the offer can call 133 456 866.
Anyone interested in becoming a supervisor or part of a working team with Mission Australia can email greenerfutures@missionaustralia.com.au.
