The Skills and Jobs Centre provides access to high quality, free and impartial careers and training advice to help you on the right path for your future.
Skills and Jobs Centres across the state are funded by the State Government to provide a FREE service to the community to improve the career opportunities for individuals.
Whether you are entering the workforce, starting training, re-skilling, or are an employer needing to find workers, a Skills and Jobs Centre should be your first stop.
Course Advice
Our qualified course advisors can help you navigate the many choices on offer that can lead to an exciting and rewarding career. They specialise in what they do and can help you find the right fit.
There is lots to consider when choosing a course such as, hours of study, mode of study, pathway options, job outcomes, suitable level for your capability, cost, scholarships, eligibility, how long is it, let alone is it really what you want to do.
Choosing the right course is a commitment that can last from a few weeks to 18 months, so it’s important you get it right the first time.
Free TAFE Courses
The Government’s Free TAFE for Priority Courses is here to help you stress less while you study, and overcome financial barriers that might be stopping you from pursuing the course of your dreams.
The idea is to up-skill more people for jobs that are in demand across Victoria. Courses lead to work in important areas like preventing family violence, rolling out the National Disability Insurance Scheme in Victoria or delivering our major infrastructure projects.
If eligible, your tuition fees will be paid for by the Government. Please note there may be some out-of-pocket expenses incurred from material and service fees.
To find out if you’re eligible, and how to get on board with Free TAFE, contact us:
Email: skillsandjobscentre@swtafe.edu.au
Phone: 03 5564 8515
Career Guidance
Sometimes it’s good to just talk things over. Book an appointment with one of our highly qualified careers coaches to have a discussion around YOUR career. It is your career and our coaches will work with you to help you identify and ultimately achieve your goals.
We strongly believe that there is a pathway to get to where you want to go. Some are straight forward and some take a little more time and navigation. It’s important to know that there is always a way and we can help make that happen.
When thinking about your career it’s important to consider the following:
- What timeframes work for you?
- What wage do you need to earn?
- Am I physically or emotionally restricted in what I can do?
- What do I enjoy doing?
- Am I prepared to re-train?
Get in touch to work these questions through together:
E skillsandjobscentre@swtafe.edu.au
P 03 5564 8515
Resume writing
What should a resume look like? A tough question indeed but a question that you do not have to answer alone. Our team of highly qualified careers coaches are ready and willing to lend you a hand.
Every resume needs to be different for each job you apply for. It needs to be easy to read and cover off on your skills and suitability for the jobs that you are applying for.
It’s important to ask yourself:
- How do you want your new potential employer to feel once they have read your resume?
- Is it a true representation of myself?
- Have I highlighted the skills I have that are relevant for this job?
- Is it well set out, clear with no spelling mistakes?
- Check your contact details are correct
- Make sure your references are current and check your referees are ready for a possible call.
If you’re after something a little different maybe consider a video resume. These are a great way to talk about yourself and show who you are.
Book a free appointment with a member of our team to assist you with creating or fine-tuning your resume, or let us know if you need your resume printed for an upcoming job.
Contact us:
E skillsandjobscentre@swtafe.edu.au
P 03 5564 8515
Scholarships & Initiatives
There are a number of programs available to assist you in your transition to a new career.
- South West TAFE scholarships
- StudyAssist scholarships
- Financial support to study and work in early childhood education
- Indigenous Health scholarship
Book a free appointment with a member of our team to find out more or assist you with applying.
Contact us:
E skillsandjobscentre@swtafe.edu.au
P 03 5564 8515
Finding new staff
At the S&JC we understand just how important it is to find the right staff for your business. We know that a great staff member can make a massive improvement to your company, while a poor staff member can’t. Well let’s not go there!
We are working very hard helping to educate the current and next generation of workers around the skills and attributes required to thrive in the modern world of work. We may even have come across your next employee in our travels.
Contact us and see if we can help find you the one:
E skillsandjobscentre@swtafe.edu.au
P 03 5564 8515
Government Initiative Support
At the S&JC we are knowledgeable about current Government Initiatives and how they could benefit you as an individual or an employer. Working out which support you are eligible for can be challenging as the eligibility criteria changes a lot. The S&JC staff pride themselves on being up-to-date and are a resource for you to talk with.
Currently, there are Apprenticeship, Job Trainer, Free TAFE and more incentives available.
Contact us:
E skillsandjobscentre@swtafe.edu.au
P 03 5564 8515
Gap Training Employees
A skills gap is a gap between the skills an employee has and the skills he or she actually needs to perform a job well. Skills gaps vary depending on the job in question and the types of skills required for the job.
For example, some employees come into the workforce lacking a skill that is a new part of your business. Until they receive this training, there is a gap between the skills they have and those required to perform well on the job. Talk to us to see if we can assist in finding the best possible training for your staff member. It may very well come from within your own business and be very cost-effective.
Contact us:
E skillsandjobscentre@swtafe.edu.au
P 03 5564 8515
Employment Trends
Employment trends can be difficult to navigate as the world of work constantly evolves. New industries are emerging and people’s lifestyles are changing.
There is always room for “traditional roles” but also new roles are becoming more prominent.
At the S&JC we look forward to sharing our knowledge on employment trends to help you stay current and relevant in the new world of work
The top 5 current employment trends are:
- A focus on enterprise (workability) skills
- Remote working
- Diversity in the workplace
- Blind Hiring
- HR Technology
- Digital Literacy is now a must-have
Contact us:
E skillsandjobscentre@swtafe.edu.au
P 03 5564 8515
Training new staff
Training new staff and up skilling existing staff is crucial to the ever-changing demands of the modern workforce.
It’s important to think about the following points when considering your companies training needs.
- Listen to staff ideas
- Don’t neglect your senior employees
- Enlist mentors from within or externally
- Set realistic goals
- Provide frequent feedback
- Don’t play favourites
- Have a focus on team building
- Reward and celebrate individual and team success
There are lots of ways to approach training within your organisation. It’s really important the organisation has its own goals and strategic direction set in place. This will enable everyone to be clear about why and where the business is heading and provide meaning and relevance to their training.
Let us know if we can help.
Contact us:
E skillsandjobscentre@swtafe.edu.au
P 03 5564 8515
Apprenticeship Support
If you are having trouble and are looking for some answers around your apprentice our knowledge of the Apprentices system is a great place to start. Our Apprenticeship Support Officer has many years of experience with an incredible knowledge across all industry areas and is part of a bigger network across the state.
Contact Apprenticeship Support Officer, Lee Martin on 03 5564 8819 or email lee.martin@swtafe.edu.au
1:1 Student Career Coaching
At the S&JC we understand that navigating school, TAFE or University is a challenging job in it itself. We understand trying to work out your pathways from schooling to a career or further education can be challenging.
Our highly qualified careers coaches have expertise in helping you on your journey.
You may be looking:
- to gain your first job,
- wanting career advice for a long-term goal
- thinking of a job change
- thinking of further study or
- unsure of what to do
Our career coaching sessions can be:
- face to face
- via Webex
- over the phone
Check our Workshops and events to find out about upcoming events.
We visit Portland, Hamilton, Warrnambool and Colac. Book an appointment and choose a location most suitable for you.
Contact us:
E skillsandjobscentre@swtafe.edu.au
P 03 5564 8515
SWTAFE Campus Tours
Sometimes just getting a tour of the SWTAFE campus can give you a wonderful insight into the opportunities that are available. You will get an all access pass to every department with a rundown of the courses, course pathways, job opportunities, job availabilities and salaries of the many opportunities that can be found through SWTAFE.
For more information on SWTAFE courses please click here.
If you’re unsure of what course might be right for you then contact us:
E skillsandjobscentre@swtafe.edu.au or
P 03 5564 8515
School Presentations
Our highly qualified careers coaches have ready made presentations that can delivered in your schools. The presentations range from starting off your career by preparing for your first job to life after school and many things in-between. We also specialise in preparing and delivering workshops on request to work in with the ever changing environment that we now live in.
Some of our workshops include:
- Getting ready for your first job,
- Year 12 and beyond,
- How to write cover letters and resumes
- Preparing for job interviews.
- Youth Mental Health First Aid (cost)
The S&JC team would love the opportunity to come to your school, or you are welcome to bring a school group to us.
Contact us:
E skillsandjobscentre@swtafe.edu.au
P 03 5564 8515
Parent Information
Year 12 and the Senior School years can be demanding and stressful for the whole family. You and your child are at the beginning of a new journey and you need the best information to help make informed decisions on the next path forward in their career.
The SJC can provide you with information to help you understand and support your child in their Senior School years to make the exciting next transition.
- Industry trends for the next 5-15 years
- Industry trends post Covid-19 impacts
- Apprenticeships and Traineeships
- School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SBATs)
- Opportunities in the vocational education and training sector (VET)
- Opportunities through University
- How to support your child to make informed career choices
Contact us:
E skillsandjobscentre@swtafe.edu.au
P 03 5564 8515
Make an appointment
Fill out the enquiry form and our customer support officer will be in touch with you soon.
Come and visit us today
COLAC | HAMILTON | PORTLAND | WARRNAMBOOL
Email skillsandjobscentre@swtafe.edu.au
Phone 03 5564 8515
The Skills and Jobs Centre acknowledges the traditional owners of the land. We pay our respects to the Elders past, present and emerging.
