Hosting work experience

Work experience provides opportunities for job seekers to get involved in activities that will improve their chances of finding work.
As a Host organisation you can access people and funding to conduct community activities that you otherwise may not have been able to.

What are Host organisations?

Host organisations work with The Salvation Army Employment Plus (TSAEP) to provide work experience opportunities for participants in not-for-profit or government organisations or community work placements. Participants cannot be placed in private organisations.

What do Host organisations do?

Host organisations can develop Work for the Dole or Green Corps activity proposals to submit for consideration. If you become a Host you will provide the following services to help manage a Work for the Dole or Green Corps activity:

• a safe work environment and on-site supervision for participants at all times,
• assistance in the completion of a risk assessment on the location where participants will work,
• necessary on the job training for participants,
• recording and reporting on participant attendance to TSAEP,
• access to allow the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations and TSAEP to monitor the participants and the activity,
• records of expenditure to justify payments from TSAEP.

Your functions will be agreed between you and TSAEP which can also assist you to develop your activity proposal.

What is Work for the Dole and Green Corps?

Work for the Dole and Green Corps are Australian Government employment programmes which provide valuable work experience for unemployed people.

These programs provide:

• structured activities to improve participants’ employment prospects and vocational skills, and encourage more active and effective participation in the workplace.
• activities that involve local communities, and provide value for money to the Australian Government.
• work experience to enhance participants’ ability to work as part of a team, take directions from a supervisor, work independently, communicate effectively and be motivated and dependable, and
• flexible work experience opportunities for participants’ with barriers to employment, to help them re-engage with their community and workplace.

What funding can Host organisations access for Work for the Dole and Green Corps activities?

Work Experience Funding can be allocated within specific funding parameters for items related to the costs of running a Work for the Dole or Green Corps activity, including:

• hiring a supervisor for the duration of the activity,
• providing materials (such as wood, sand or paint),
• leasing equipment (such as a mini bus to transport participants to an activity site or a bobcat digger to clear a project site), and
• providing protective clothing (such as gloves, hard hats or work boots).

TSAEP can give Host organisations information on Work Experience Funding. Funding for an activity will be on a proportional basis that reflects the functions performed by each organisation in managing the activity.

The Activity Application must indicate the tasks participants will undertake, the training provided to the participants including any accredited training available, relevant supervision details, Host organisation details and the allocation of funding proposed for the activity.

Can I get help to develop my application?

TSAEP can provide advice about your responsibilities as a Work for the Dole or Green Corps Host and can help you to complete your proposal.

When TSAEP assess proposals they must consider whether:

• the proposal meets the needs of the local community and is suitable for participants to undertake,
• the Host organisation is able to monitor and support the progress of participants during their placement,
• the Host organisation is able to provide the service on a cost-effective basis, and
• enough jobseekers are available to refer to the activity.

Where do I go for more information?

Full details on becoming a Work for the Dole or Green Corps Host are available from your local Salvation Army Employment Plus office.  Phone 136 123 or email us.