Funding Will See More Women Fitted for Work

Women in priority employment areas in Sydney and Melbourne will be better equipped for work following the latest Federal Government funding for the employment-ready Not for Profit, Fitted for Work.

The $150, 000 in funding will assist 300 women with job opportunities from the Priority Employment Areas of Sydney West and the Blue Mountains, North Western Melbourne and South Eastern Melbourne.

The funding will also allow Fitted for Work to expand its services to the Priority Employment Area in Adelaide.

Fitted for Work has worked with thousands of women to provide a free personal outfitting and interview skills service. More than 10,000 women from a range of backgrounds have received assistance to make sure that they are work-ready, and that they have the confidence to re-enter and engage in the workforce.

A network of volunteers assist women experiencing disadvantage to find work, and keep it, through mentoring and transition to work programs in Melbourne, Parramatta and Morwell.

Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Bill Shorten said the first step to getting work was having a suitable outfit to confidently wear to an interview.

“Fitted for Work help women gain the self-esteem they need to achieve their goal of sustainable, meaningful employment,” he said.
“Work is important to breaking entrenched poverty, but work is important also emotionally to people.
“It's important also for people's identity. It's important also for the families of women looking for work, that their families see that their mum is recognised for all the qualities which families love in their mothers.”

A recent survey of Melbourne clients showed 75 per cent of the women the organisation worked with were employed within three months of their visit to Fitted to Work.

Shorten encouraged business leaders to consider being a mentor and urged anyone with suitable outfits to donate them to Fitted to Work.