The Allan Labor Government is removing the barriers carers can face in finding work, supporting the development of flexible roles in workplaces and providing communication and mentoring resources to help them secure the job they want.
Minister for Carers and Volunteers Ros Spence today announced $100,000 for Different Journeys – a key support organisation for Victorian carers, to deliver two projects that will help our carers.
The first project will involve Different Journeys working with the State Library as an employer to create and maintain flexible roles that suit both employers and carers.
This will then help demonstrate to other employers how they can create flexible roles for carer employees, with the key learnings to help inform other employment initiatives and resources for employers – to help them support carers in their workplace.
The second project will deliver a toolkit to help carer support services and employment programs mentor carers that are looking for employment – it will include tips and guides on how to address the need for flexibility at work with employers.
Carers can struggle to find opportunities that enable them to balance their caring responsibilities with the demands of paid work. Many also struggle to re-enter the workforce after taking time off to care for their loved ones.
The Labor Government knows that being able to find paid work is important for carers, who represent a significant pool of untapped talent for organisations – particularly in a time of acute workforce shortages across industries and sectors.
These projects recognise that employers need support to create more flexible and inclusive workplaces, and carers need additional help to remove the barriers to employment.
As stated by Minister for Carers and Volunteers Ros Spence
“Carers are an untapped resource for organisations looking for employees who are flexible, adaptive and able to solve complex problems.”
“We know that carers across Victoria face significant challenges in seeking paid work, and these programs are part of our efforts to remove some of these barriers.”
“We also know employers who create flexible, supportive workplaces stand to benefit from the untapped talents of thousands of Victorians, helping to address workforce shortages across sectors, industries and regions.”
