By Casey Neill
Two youngsters who needed a break are among the secret ingredients to the success of Daniel’s Donuts.
The Springvale business hosted Industry and Employment Minister Ben Carroll on Wednesday 22 November to highlight the Jobs Victoria program and partner organisation The Bridge.
Daniel’s employs Hallam 20-year-old Kahlia Teteo, who has a Tongan background, and Noble Park’s Alisha Neemia, 19, from Samoan heritage.
Ms Teteo was unemployed for 18 months before The Bridge helped her to land the sales role about six or seven months ago.
Ms Neemia started about the same time, following six months of unemployment.
“This was my first job,” she said.
Since October last year, The Bridge has helped about 50 long-term unemployed Victorians into sustainable jobs using Jobs Victoria funding.
Jobs Victoria has helped to place more than 2400 long-term jobseekers into work since the program started a year ago. The goal is 5000.
“Daniel’s Donuts has a reputation that precedes it,” Mr Carroll said.
“Having just had one of their Nutella donuts, I can see why they have such a following.”
He said Daniel’s had strong family roots through brothers Daniel and Dominic Bartalotta and was a “wonderful success story”.
“They are everything the Jobs Victoria employment network is about,” he said.
Daniel said: “Alisha took a bit of work but now she’s one of our strongest team members. Kahlia – she knows more than she’s meant to know.”
Dominic said: “We’re proud to have them on our team.”
The Bridge CEO Phillip Toovey said Jobs Victoria had “re-written the books on employment” and it was a two-way and very positive partnership.
