Eastland Shopping Centre has recently won the 2023 Victoria Government Learn Local Award for its Hungry 4 Success partnership pathway to employment program.
Hungry 4 Success is a pre-employment program offered by Glen Park Community Centre in partnership with Eastland Shopping Centre and Glad Group property services the only partnership of its kind. It was created specifically for people living with significant issues that hamper life success. This includes mental illness, substance abuse, homelessness, mild to moderate intellectual disabilities and repeated interrupted learning. The training transforms lives by breaking the cycle of unemployment.
“We feel fortunate that we can be involved with a passionate and dedicated organisation like Glen Park Community Centre, who are extremely active in the community,” Eastland General Manager Greg Balmforth said.
“We have a strong focus on making a difference in the community, and this year Eastland have been part of some really positive and meaningful projects. Hungry 4 Success is a great program, and the recognition is a pleasing way to close out 2023,” he said.
Learners develop the attributes to achieve paid employment in industries such as hospitality, cleaning, security, maintenance, and guest services.
In partnering with Eastland Shopping Centre and Glad Group, learning and employment opportunities expanded. Learners undertook ‘a day in the life’ trade taster to experience various roles and services, which fostered confidence. On completion, they have the option of a job or stepping stones to further education and training. The training has a high completion rate of 76.99%, with most participants going into further education or gaining employment.
“We have been working closely with Eastland, and in particular their Community Relations Manager Jodie Murphy, who is constantly bringing new and innovative opportunities to us and always finding a way to give more than we could have hoped for. The positive impact our partnerships are having on the community is something we are really proud of,” CEO of Glen Park Community Centre Heidi Butler-Moore said.
“We’ve had some pretty good outcomes throughout the intakes, but I think the outcomes that we are seeing now in our partnership is lifelong outcomes, it really is changing people’s live,” she said.
Since the program’s inception Eastland together with Glad Group property services have employed more than 20 learners into various paid roles in the centre.
