TRACQS participants thriving by providing essential services through employment

Due to these challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increase in demand for various employment opportunities across the community, particularly for nightfill roles, cleaners, and customer service in local supermarkets and service stations.

These opportunities are casual roles; however, our customers are obtaining a substantial number of additional hours of employment due to the increasing demand within their roles and developing new skills.

Mark recently landed a job at a local supermarket to develop his professional cleaning skills to a higher standard. He confirmed that there had also been changes on site and he is now required to wear a facemask and safety gloves while at work.

Mark is required to clean all touchpoints such as stair rails and light switches and use antiseptic sprays and sanitisers that are appropriate to different surfaces such as food preparation areas and bathrooms to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. He also confirmed that management record the temperatures of all staff on arrival for their shifts.

Naomi recently started work as a Service Station Attendant and says her role has also changed since COVID-19. Naomi explained that there is a lot more cleaning involved in the role both within the retail area and as Console Operator on the petrol pumps, using sanitiser and disinfecting all surfaces. Naomi said that they are still handling cash; however, there is sanitiser provided and a sink with soap nearby for regular handwashing.

The aim now is for jobseekers to retain their current employment beyond COVID-19. To achieve this, our TRACQS Job Placement Officer is providing jobseekers with ongoing Post Placement Support and employers with our a TRACQS Employer Information pack.

The pack includes a letter and flyer outlining the support and assistance available for employers through our services as well as Government fact sheets on various employer incentives such as the 1000 Jobs Package, Back to Work Guidelines and Cashflow Government assistance Regarding COVID-19.