JVEN offers James a brighter future

Chee Ming was food shopping at Melbourne’s Queen Victoria Market when she stumbled on an employment-help stall staffed by Jesuit Social Services. After hearing about her interest in hospitality, Jesuit Social Services connected Chee Ming to Ignite Café, our social enterprise café where people experiencing barriers to employment and training can come to build skills and connections to find work. Our staff also helped her find casual work in events.  

After over 30 unsuccessful job applications and no luck with a Job Active service, Biruk* was losing hope and thought of giving up his dreams of working as an electrician. Eventually, friends recommended that he connect with Jesuit Social Services’ Jobs Victoria Employment Service program, which assisted him with his resume, job search training, and supported him to find work at an electrical company in 2022 - his “dream come true".

As a Jesuit Community College trainer, Tessa has had the privilege of seeing her former students find employment in many areas including nursing, teaching, administration and the arts. The employment course supports participants to build the practical skills, mindset and confidence needed to find meaningful work.

Hear how our Education, Training and Employment team have navigated funding cuts to the Jobs Victoria Employment Services (JVES) program, exploring new ways to find pathways to employment for people who face significant barriers to social and economic inclusion.