Work for the Dole Achievement Awards 2002 Ministers and Secretarys Foreword
Minister's Foreword
The enormous contribution Work for the Dole makes to the Australian community has been highlighted by the outstanding quality and number of nominations received for the 2002 achievement awards.
These nominations recognise the efforts and achievements of the many participants, supervisors, sponsors, hosts and Community Work Coordinators involved in the programme.
Since its inception in 1997, the Work for the Dole programme has continued to grow and in 2002 provided more than 4000 approved work experience activities, supporting over 50 000 job seekers. The Howard Government remains committed to offering excellent work experience opportunities which allow job seekers to develop their confidence, broaden their experience and improve their prospects of finding paid employment.
In the last year, Work for the Dole has supported job seekers and communities with a broad range of activities. The programme has developed to include initiatives such as Drought Force activities that provide local solutions to farmers and communities affected by the drought and Community Action Groups that facilitate a quick response to communities in crisis as a result of natural disasters and other emergencies.
Recent examples of Community Action Group activities include bushfire assistance where participants helped clean up Canberra properties after the fires swept through suburbs; flood relief in Central Queensland where participants helped clean mud from properties; and in South Australia, where participants packaged first aid supplies for shipment to Bali after the devastation of the Sari Club bombing.
I am also pleased to note that the National Archives project is achieving great outcomes for the broader Australian community. The National Archives had been charged with the task of making fragile historic documents more accessible through repackaging and data entry of records and placing them on the public record. Without Work for the Dole participants, this process would not have occurred and the demand from the community for access to these records would not be met.
From July 2002, Work for the Dole participants have also been offered additional assistance to improve their employment prospects by way of Training Credits that help pay for accredited training and Passport to Employment services which assist with job search training.
I would like to thank everyone involved in Work for the Dole during 2002 and commend them all on their achievements. Together, we will continue to provide real assistance to unemployed people and their local communities.
Mal Brough
Minister for Employment Services
19 March 2003
Secretary's Foreword
The Work for the Dole Achievement Awards play an important role in recognising the successes and accomplishments of those involved in the programme. In particular, to recognise providers and participants who have worked hard to meet the Government's objectives, namely to provide:
- work experience opportunities to develop the work habits and self-esteem of long-term unemployed people
- services and facilities of value to local communities
- ongoing support for those looking for work.
This book presents a number of the activities nominated for the Work for the Dole Achievement Awards 2002 which will receive commendations. I would like to thank everyone who took the time to nominate participants, supervisors or activities for the awards.
The Department will continue to work closely with Community Work Coordinators and sponsor organisations to successfully manage Work for the Dole. We will strive to ensure the delivery of quality work experience opportunities in activities highly valued by local communities with ongoing support for people seeking work.
Peter J Boxall
Secretary
Department of Employment and Workplace Relations
19 March 2003