WHILE the Federal Government’s Work for the Dole program may not officially kick off until July next year, the program has already been praised by two Bathurst job-seekers.
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The Abbott government’s program will force job-seekers to undertake up to 25 hours of community work a month, as well as look for 40 jobs.
Tamara Benger, 20, and Chris Ferris, 27, were among seven job-seekers undertaking community work at Bathurst’s new community garden off Church Lane near the Macquarie River yesterday.
Both have signed up with registered training organisation Verto, which has committed 10 to 12 job-seekers for 15 hours each week over the next six months in the pilot program which kicked off yesterday.
“I had to choose to go to TAFE or work for the dole. I’d rather be outside than stuck in a classroom,” Miss Benger said.
She is happy to work for the unemployment benefits she receives from Centrelink.
“I don’t find it unreasonable, it’s society ... I’m trying to get back into work. It’ll give me a better resume,” she said.
Miss Benger has been unemployed for three years, but hopes to get back into work so she can better support her two children, aged three and four.
Mr Ferris, who has been unemployed for five years, also supports the Federal Government’s move to get job-seekers working for their benefits.
“I think it’s fair. If you’re doing nothing else, you may as well,” he said.
Mr Ferris hopes to learn skills that will lead to him obtaining full-time employment.
“It’ll teach me how to do landscaping,” he said.
Over the next six months, Verto’s allocated job-seekers will work on the garden’s construction, landscaping, irrigation, paving and fencing.
All will be under the watchful eye of Bathurst Building Maintenance owner Steve Sharwood and Bathurst councillor Bobby Bourke, the man behind the garden’s creation.
