F&FG Connect 2 Employment Program to conclude on October 6th
Following six years of successful delivery across our Growing Regional Agribusiness Employment Opportunities (GRAEP) and Connect 2 Employment (C2E) programs, Food & Fibre Gippsland deeply regrets to inform our valued members, partners and stakeholders that our Jobs Victoria funded services will conclude on the 6th of October, 2023.
During our delivery of the GRAEP and C2E programs, F&FG developed strong, performing relationships with many of our region’s food and fibre sector businesses; community organisations; government agencies; and support agencies to provide a valued service to both business and jobseekers. Our dedicated team worked directly with well in excess of 1000 jobseekers, with over 600 being placed into employment, and over 300 having achieved long-term or permanent employment outcomes. The Jobs Victoria Mentor Service funding allowed our team members to reduce barriers for businesses and employees to engage with each other by funding training; equipment; uniforms / clothing; and providing businesses with funding to make necessary adjustments to support worker needs. Our local procurement focus has meant that the majority of funds utilised to support these activities were spent locally with local traders, further boosting the overall value of the program for Gippsland’s food and fibre sector and the broader Gippsland community.
Despite our disappointment surrounding this outcome, our team is proud of the difference we have made to our participating employees’ lives over the past 6 years, alongside the service we have been able to provide to our valued employers and procurement partners. We would like to thank all who have engaged with the GRAEP and C2E programs for your years of support, and look forward to continuing our relationship into the future as F&FG seeks new opportunities to support our industry and regional communities.
