Shellharbour
2011-2014
The Shellharbour Connectivity Centre was officially opened at Stockland Shellharbour as part of The Next Step initiative (Sustainability Through Employment Programs), with a vision to reduce local unemployment in the community.
Client: Stockland
The Next Step Initiative
Youth unemployment in the Shellharbour area was a serious problem, affecting 35% of young people. The Connectivity Centre in partnership with Stockland provided support to those job-seekers helping them enter the workforce.
The Connectivity Centre operated for three years while the new shopping centre was built. This provided a space for candidate screening, training and job-matching to support the employment of local people on the redevelopment of the site. Whilst operational, the Centre offered programs designed to instil vocational skills, build confidence, and provide exposure to business culture and mentoring. Centres are geared towards helping people become self-sufficient and to create a healthy future through education, life skills, employment and financial stability.
Connecting with success
Read the Kiama Independent newspaper Lake Times article on Nathan Merritt's experience with the Connectivity Centre.
Nathan was a participant with the centre, taken on as a Trainee in Construction as part of the Stockland Shellharbour redevelopment. Although he had a rocky start, Nathan recently said "I truly reckon I would not be here today if it was not for the support I received through the centre".