It’s all about jobs. The caravan sector needs more workers to handle unprecedented demand for product. At the same time, there are many people living in Melbourne’s north who have lost their connection to work due to the COVID-19 epidemic and need employment.
Assisting the fast-growing caravan manufacturing and service industry to fill permanent vacancies while providing local jobseekers with genuine employment opportunities.
Funded by the Victorian Government and offered in partnership with Caravan Industry Victoria, the project offers jobseekers paid training and employment in an industry that is experiencing considerable labour shortages.
Most jobs on offer are full time but there will also be some part time employment. All jobs are ongoing. And to give participants every chance of success, support and mentoring are provided during and after the program.
NORTH Link will assist the caravan industry to recruit 150 employees over 20 months, with the first intake commencing on 31 August.
Jobseeker eligibility
The project is open to the following jobseeker cohorts:
- Culturally and linguistically diverse people, including those seeking asylum and refugees
- People over 45
- Youth under 25
- Veterans
- People who are long-term unemployed or at risk of long-term unemployment due to additional barriers to (re)entering the workforce.
About the Jobs on Offer
Research conducted by Caravan Industry Victoria in late 2020 identified over 200 vacancies across a range of positions. While most vacancies are for caravan assemblers, there are also roles available for trades assistants, service technicians, warehouse and stores, sales and administration.
About Caravan Industry Victoria
Caravan Industry Victoria, the peak industry body, focuses on strategically leading job creation for its industry. They are working with NORTH Link and other partners to assist caravan and recreational vehicle manufacturers across the state to meet increasing demand, both now and into the future. A total of 80 per cent of Caravan Industry Victoria members have committed to participate in this project.
Engagement process
The process for each intake is:
- Two weeks of paid pre-employment training.
- One week of paid pre-vocational training including workplace safety.
- Followed by two weeks of paid work placement (three days per week) at an employer who is seeking to hire.
- Mentors will meet weekly with participants from the start of placement, for 12 weeks.
- At the end of the placement, the jobseeker will progress to employment.
During the work placement, each jobseeker will have an experienced worker ‘buddy’ who helps them learn the job.
Post-employment support involves site visits to assess progress (jobseeker and employer) and address any issues, including referral to other support services where necessary.
The paid training provided will equip jobseekers with transferable skills that are applicable to other areas of manufacturing.
