The Skills First Reconnect program supports learners that may experience a barrier to learning and transitioning to the workforce. As a Skills First Reconnect participant learners can:
- engage with further training and education with the help of suitable support services
- build their resilience and capacity to help them move from formal learning to employment.
How it works
Under the program, selected TAFEs and Learn Local registered training organisations (RTOs) receive funding to provide Victorian learners:
- to address barriers to enrolling in and completing an accredited training program and a supervised work experience placement
- with access to specialist support services such as health, accommodation, and personal and relationship supports.
The Skills First Reconnect program is designed to address disadvantage and promote equity.
Who can access Skills First Reconnect
Learners referred to Skills First Reconnect must be:
- high-needs learners aged 17 to 19 who have not completed year 12 or equivalent and are not in education, training or full time employment; or
- individuals aged 20 to 64 who have not completed year 12 or equivalent and who are long-term unemployed.
Support for learners
Vulnerable young people who leave school early and the long-term unemployed often face multiple barriers to learning and transitioning to the workforce. The risk of disengagement is high unless targeted services are available to support these learners back into education, training or employment.
With the right support, these learners stand to gain the most in terms of increases in participation, employment and income.
Reconnecting Victorians with educational and employment opportunities
Skills First Reconnect leverages strong networks to refer learners to the support services that best meet their needs.
Skills First Reconnect providers partner with Learn Local providers to provide expanded learning opportunities that help learners gain the foundational skills necessary to transition into accredited training.
As part of the Skills First Reconnect program, RTOs:
- undertake outreach and engagement activities to locate, engage and attract disengaged, high-needs learners back into a learning environment
- assess the learning and non-learning needs of Reconnect participants and develop an agreed learning plan to transition participants to further training or employment
- coordinate and provide access to support services that help participants start and stay in training.
Skills First Reconnect providers
Skills First Reconnect services are provided by 27 providers:
AMES Australia
Local Government areas of delivery:
Dandenong, Darebin, Glen Eira, Hindmarsh, Maroondah, Melbourne, Mildura, Moonee Valley, Stonnington, Whitehorse, Wyndham.
Contact details:
telephone: (03) 9938 4006
email: mitchellj@ames.net.au
Australian Vietnamese Women’s Association Inc.
Local Government areas of delivery:
Brimbank, Maribyrnong, Dandenong.
Contact details:
telephone: (03) 9396 1922
email: training@avwa.org.au
Ballarat Group Training
Local Government areas of delivery:
Golden Plains, Greater Ballarat.
Contact details:
telephone: (03) 5333 8600
email: deanne@bgt.org.au
Bendigo Kangan Institute
Local Government areas of delivery:
Bendigo, Campaspe, Central Goldfields, Hume, Loddon, Macedon Ranges, Mount Alexander.
Contact details:
telephone: 1300 111 369
email: jmcclimont@kangan.edu.au
Box Hill Institute
Local Government areas of delivery:
Knox, Melbourne, Whitehorse, Yarra Ranges.
Contact details:
telephone: (03) 9286 9605
email: reconnect@boxhill.edu.au
Brotherhood of St Laurence
Local Government areas of delivery:
Frankston, Mornington Peninsula.
Contact details:
telephone: (03) 9288 9925
email: LCarton@bsl.org.au
Carringbush Adult Education
Chisholm Institute
Local Government areas of delivery:
Bass Coast, Casey, Cardinia, Dandenong, Frankston.
Contact details:
telephone: (03) 9212 5161
email: reconnect@chisholm.edu.au
CIRE Services Inc.
Local Government areas of delivery:
Yarra Ranges.
Contact details:
telephone: 1800 835 235
email: reconnect@cire.org.au
Diversitat
Local Government areas of delivery:
Greater Geelong, Colac-Otway, Surf Coast.
Contact details:
telephone: (03) 5223 3222 (Geelong)
telephone: 0427 689 509 (Colac)
email: reconnect@diversitat.org.au
Djerriwarrh Community and Education Services
Local Government areas of delivery:
Brimbank, Hume, Maribyrnong, Melton, Moonee Valley, Moorabool.
Contact details:
telephone: (03) 8746 1000
email: reconnect@djerriwarrh.org
Federation University
Local Government areas of delivery:
Ballarat, Central Goldfields, Hepburn, Horsham, Moorabool, Northern Grampians, Pyrenees.
Contact details:
telephone: (03) 5327 8240
email: gj.sandford@federation.edu.au
GOTAFE
Local Government areas of delivery:
Shepparton, Benalla, Yea, Strathbogie.
Contact details:
telephone: (03) 5723 6220
email: kmilchelini@gotafe.vic.edu.au
Jesuit Community College
Local Government areas of delivery:
Dandenong, Glen Eira, Kingston, Maribyrnong, Stonnington, Whitehorse, Whittlesea.
Contact details:
telephone: 0437 841 847
email: Rae.Jamieson@jss.org.au
JobCo.
Local Government areas of delivery:
Hume, Moreland, Yarra, Darebin, Boroondara, Kingston, Bayside, Monash.
Contact details:
telephone:(03) 9356 8600
email: rto@jobco.com.au
Migrant Resource Centre North West Region
Local Government areas of delivery:
Brimbank.
Contact details:
telephone:: 0499 011 1245
email: sue@mrcnorthwest.org.au
Mountain District Learning Centre
Local Government areas of delivery:
Knox Yarra Ranges.
Contact details:
telephone:: (03) 9758 7859
email: office@mdlc.com.au
PRACE
Local Government areas of delivery:
Banyule, Darebin, Nillumbik, Whittlesea.
Contact details:
telephone: 0457 892 893
email: apugliese@prace.vic.edu.au
South West TAFE
Local Government areas of delivery:
Corangamite, Glenelg, Moyne, Southern Grampians, Warrnambool.
Contact details:
telephone: (03) 5564 0591
email: riki.fox@swtafe.edu.au
SuniTAFE
Local Government areas of delivery:
Gannawarra, Mildura, Swan Hill.
Contact details:
telephone: 1300 478 648
email: reconnect@sunitafe.edu.au
Swinburne University of Technology
Local Government areas of delivery:
Yarra Ranges, Maroondah, Mitchell, Murrindindi, Mansfield.
Contact details:
telephone: (03) 9726 1492
email: ksmyth@swin.edu.au
TAFE Gippsland
Local Government areas of delivery:
East Gippsland, Wellington, Latrobe, Baw Baw, South Gippsland, Bass Coast.
Contact details:
telephone: 1300 867 927
email: reconnect@tafegippsland.edu.au
Task Force Community Agency
Local Government areas of delivery:
Casey, Cardinia, Greater Dandenong.
Contact details:
telephone: 0402 573 782
telephone: (03) 9532 0811
email: janets@taskforce.org.au;
The Centre for Continuing Education
Westgate Community Initiatives
Wodonga TAFE
Local Government areas of delivery:
Alpine, Towong, Indigo, Wodonga.
Contact details:
telephone: 1300 698 233
email: info@wodongatafe.edu.au
Wyndham Community and Education Centre
Local Government areas of delivery:
Hobsons Bay, Wyndham.
Contact details:
telephone: (03) 9742 4013
email: enquiries@wyndhamcec.org.au