The Exchange: Connecting local people to local jobs and training
The Exchange is a Lendlease initiative in partnership with Melton City Council, providing local residents and employers free recruitment services and open access to employment and training opportunities.
Operating out of Western BACE, the Exchange works with new and established communities in Atherstone, Strathtulloh, Cobblebank and beyond, within the boundaries of the Local Government Area.
The organisation aims to connect people, industries and businesses, and help residents find local work, so people spend more time doing the things they love, rather than spending hours o long commutes.
By assisting residents to find local jobs and training opportunities, the Exchange also builds the skills base within the City of Melton and supports diversity and growth for generations to come.
The Exchange first opened its doors at the Western BACE in 2017, and since then has worked with many businesses and local residents to support their recruitment journey.
In May 2021, The Exchange was taken over by new management, and in the first 12 months they have successfully worked with 28 employers to place over 100 staff in varying roles throughout their businesses, registered 275 jobseekers, offered free virtual training and assistance by ways of resume and cover letter development and building soft skills relevant in today’s employment market.
Additionally, they are actively involved in many working groups within the local community, and are constantly looking for ways to assist even further.
The Exchange is a unique service operating within Melton City Council, as they are available to offer assistance to any resident or business operating within the Local Government area, with no eligibility requirements apart from wanting to secure work or having genuine employment opportunities.
They maintain a focus on supporting entry into employment for young people, priority job seekers, and people re-entering the workforce; as well as helping to connect local employers with our new residents, many of whom are highly skilled.
Exchange Program Co-ordinator Kristie Dawe said that by understanding the employer’s business and specific staffing requirements, the Exchange is able to assist employers by selecting and referring appropriate candidates to meet their business needs.
“The Exchange is a service within the local community that is a one stop shop for recruitment needs,” she said.
“We work with local residents to identify their skills sets, provide linkages to skills development and training opportunities, and work with local businesses to understand their needs. We facilitate end to end servicing to provide successful outcomes for all.
“We also understand that the world has changed over the last few years and have had to adapt to become a more digital service. By offering online support, we are able to open that assistance to a larger group of people, and ultimately help more people and businesses achieve their goals.
“The Exchange is motivated to grow local workforce development and resilience in the emerging community; prioritising local residents for available vacancies, while working in partnership with Council and State Government to advance social outcomes.”
Vacancies, training opportunities and career advice are posted regularly through the Exchange’s social media platforms, and you can follow their Facebook page, @theatherstoneexchange.
You can also join their mailing list to receive job listings and updates by sending an email to theexchange@genu.org.au, and keep an eye on the Melton Jobs Hub for vacancies.