Some of our Projects ... Work experience programs Since 2000, Hunter Workways-Job Futures has commenced over 6,000 clients in both group and individual work experience placements. Since 2006, these placements have focused on meeting identified skills in demand in the Lower Hunter. Hunter Workways has received three Highly Commended Awards from the Australian Government for : Best Caring for People activity; Best Heritage-based project ; Best Caring for the Environment project. School and Community - Construction Projects Our School and Community Construction Projects provide participants with experience in landscaping and construction works including retaining walls, concreting, footpath construction, painting, establishing education areas, seat installation, tree removal, establishing and planting gardens, soil enhancement, mulching and watering and weed removal. All participants are provided with Workcover accredited OH&S training prior to attending the worksite. They are provided with all appropriate PPE including work boots and receive induction training in the safe use of equipment. Participants are supervised and mentored by a trades-qualified staff member with the expertise, experience and willingness to give maximum support to participants' learning outcomes. Helping the Community -individual placements These activities place individuals in local community not-for-profit and Local and State government Host Organisations. The placements reflect the career aspirations and skill development needs of individual clients. Our placements prepare people for a range of career options including teacher's aide, clerical assistant, childcare assistant, retail assistant and grounds person. Placements have also included a range of positions in the hospitality and horticultural industries. Over 50 organisations in the Lower Hunter assist us in providing valuable work experience opportunities to develop skills in teamwork, communication and motivation. The activity also helps participants develop long-term strategies regarding goals and career choices and individualised accredited training options. Food Care Projects Our Food Care projects at Raymond Terrace, Fennell Bay, Toronto and Hamilton have successfully provided participants with a range of experience in retail/wholesale, stores warehouse, cleaning and construction skills. Participants on the project assist members of the community with their shopping needs, gain cash handling skills, process paperwork, serve customers and also gain experience in stocktaking procedures. The Food Care Project provides an invaluable service to the community, stocking and distributing frozen and packaged food to low-income members of the local area. Hunter Workways has partnered with the Christian Outreach Centre, Lakelife Christian Outreach and the Soul Café to provide this service to the local community. Carpentry Workshop projects The Carpentry Workshop projects were designed to make wooden support aids and educational equipment to be donated to disability support organisations in the Lower Hunter region. The projects were initiated after a number of disability support services in the Lower Hunter indicated the dire need for equipment to improve the mobility and quality of life for disabled children in their care. The projects offered a way to assist disability services to provide a range of equipment, while providing participants in the project the opportunity to gain carpentry and fine handcrafting skills. Participants on the project gained a range of skills including measuring and quantities, construction material knowledge, the operation of hand and power tools, carpentry skills, creative design, tool maintenance, occupational health and safety and working as part of a team. The outcomes of the project were outstanding in terms of the quality of equipment produced and the overwhelming response from recipients (parents, service providers and carers) of the finished products. The project was structured so participants were able to undertake basic projects initially to familiarise themselves with tools, machinery and basic timber joints and -- as their confidence and skill level increased -- progress to complete quality, innovative custom-made aids and equipment. Visit our photo section WE have lots of pictures