Training, Skills & Employment
SANDBAG understands how skills and training and ultimately employment can transform individuals lives.
Training Skills and Employment
SANDBAG understands how skills and training and ultimately employment can transform individuals’ lives. We have a long history of working with people who are disadvantaged from the traditional labour market to gain skills, opportunities and connections which allow them to identify and progress through a pathway towards employment and participation.
We do this through a range of Skills and Work Development programs and projects. Recently we were recognised as a leading provider of these programs being nominated as a regional finalist in the 2017 Queensland Training Awards. We also directly provide supportive employment for people through our Social Enterprise, SEED Parks and Property Maintenance, Winner of the 2014 Australian Small Social Enterprise of the Year Award.
The SANDBAG team were an absolute pleasure to interact with,
very professional in their approach and workmanship,
a credit to the team that drive and direct them.
– Thomas Grice, President of Volunteer Marine Rescue, Brisbane.
Our Training Programs
We frequently offer training in the following areas: Construction, Conservation & Land Management, and Individual Support (Disability). These programs provide local people experiencing unemployment the opportunity to increase their ability to gain employment through training and skills development. Participants obtain a nationally accredited certification, and ‘real-world’ experience, along with connections with employers and industry experts.
Participants also receive tailored learning and barrier management support to help them achieve their study and work goals. These programs are completely free and at no cost to eligible participants and are proudly funded and supported by the Queensland Government’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative.
Our Programs in more detail
Construction – an 18 week full-time paid traineeship that provides skills and training to people keen to secure a career in the booming construction industry. Participants gain accredited training – Certificate I in Construction delivered by the Australian Industry Skills Group (ASG) along with industry tickets such as White Card, Confined Space and Working at Heights. This traineeship allows participants to apply their knowledge in a practical sense by undertaking minor building works under the supervision of a licensed builder. Projects are located at SANDBAG’s premises and at several other not-for-profit community organisations in the local area.
Conservation & Land Management – a 19 week full time paid traineeship that provides skills and training for a career in the Green Sector such as Landscaping or Horticulture. Participants gain accredited training – Certificate I in Conservation and Land Management, delivered by Landscape Skills along with White Card qualification. Participants will work under the direction of a Skilled Supervisor to gain practical skills by undertaking conservation and land management projects with SANDBAG’s community and business partners.
Individual Support ( Disability) – this 15 week part time study program (unpaid) offers participants the highly sought after qualification – Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability) along with 120 hours of industry placement. This program provides skills and training for those keen to secure a career in the growth sector of individual support in preparation for the NDIS. Participants receive a range of extra industry workshops and insight from SANDBAG’s very own Community Linking Access Service.
Eligibility:
All programs are free to eligible participants. To be eligible you must be:
- a Queensland resident;
- aged 15 years or older and no longer enrolled at school;
- unemployed or under-employed for a minimum of 6 months
- an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident (including a humanitarian entrant), a temporary resident with the necessary visa and work permits on a pathway to permanent residency, or a New Zealand citizen.
The program primarily targets individuals who are:
-
Ineligible for Australian Government Employment Services or assistance (Job Active or Disability Employment Services providers); or
- Require complementary services because they have significant barriers to learning and employment; or
- Have accessed Australian Goverment Employment Serices (through Job Active or Disability Employment Services) for more than 6 months and remain unemployed; or
- Parents returning to the workforce; or
- Job seekers that do not receive Centrelink benefits
Resume Writing
SANDBAG provides a resume writing and job support service from both the Sandgate Community Centre and the Bracken Ridge Library. This is a by appointment service and allows individuals to access one on one assistance in compiling their resumes and applying for jobs.
Direct Employment
SEED Parks and Property Maintenance is a social enterprise of SANDBAG Inc and provides opportunities for direct employment to individuals who are disadvantaged or marginalized from the traditional labour market. SEED PPM was established as a result of individuals connecting with SANDBAG services and consistently identifying that the significant barriers to employment that they face were difficult for mainstream employers to understand and support in an ongoing way. Out of this identified need we established a small business that provides commercial landscaping, grounds maintenance and cleaning to businesses and corporates whilst at the same time enabling people to access ‘real job’s within a supportive employment environment.