Andrea Clayson, director of the Sunshine Co-Operative, has some grave issues. She feels the government scheme intended to support employers didn’t adequately support job-seekers with extra needs. Clayson highlighted serious flaws in the Access to Work scheme. He said that it does not provide the needed guarantees for people seeking work.
“The uncertainty caused prospective employees to worry,” Clayson remarked. She recounted how countless potential workers have dropped out of the job-seeking market altogether. Combined, they feel dismissed and demoralized by the federal government’s unwillingness to provide real, tangible support. This environment undercuts their self-esteem and only adds to the challenges they face in gaining employment.
Clayson, wearing short brown hair and glasses, was awaiting visitors outside the blue shopfront of the Sunshine Co-Operative. He was joined on this trip by Claire Wayman, strongly advocating their mission to get people with greater needs into employment. IMPACT runs a second shop solely focused on employing this at-risk demographic.
Clayson notes that the system does not provide enough long-term job coaching support. This assistance is key for people who face barriers in the labor market. “Many people needed support for at least 12 weeks,” she asserted, emphasizing that the current plan to reduce support from job coaches after two to four weeks puts staff at a disadvantage.
Clayson continued by saying she does not think hiring outside job coaches will produce good outcomes. “The company would be best placed to provide job coaches for employees,” she stated. She further stressed that hiring outsiders for this position typically doesn’t work out. Creating familiarity and understanding are key to empowering those facing special challenges.
Clayson challenged the government on its method of funding these types of initiatives. “They’re already dealing with the fact no one wants to employ them, so when they find a supportive employer, they’re panicking that they won’t get the Access to Work help,” she said.
She illustrated just how badly the program is failing employers and future employees alike. A host of obstacles are standing in the way of more effective support. “We’re talking about people with barriers to employment and breaking them down, but when it comes down to it, the government doesn’t want to pay for it,” Clayson added.
Clayson focused on the financial burden this places on entities like her organization, that want to be able to provide essential assistance in their communities. “They expect organisations like ours to foot the whole bill and we just don’t have the means to do that,” she explained.
