Young people in Wyndham, Hobsons Bay and Hume seeking to look sharp on their way to landing a job are invited to participate in a new free program.
FutureFIT, a collaboration between Big Group Hug and Ready Set, will provide clothes for jobseekers to wear to interviews.
Anyone aged 15-24 and who is experiencing financial hardship that prevents them from purchasing interview-appropriate clothing are eligible.
The program has been designed to make the process less intimidating and more accessible.
Upon arrival, two volunteer stylists will greet the young person and help them explore clothing options, offering tips on styling for interviews.
Big Group Hug chief executive Bernadene Voss sai helping young people look their best was important.
“I have seen the data around unemployment in the west, so my aim is for everyone in the west to have the opportunity to get a job,” she said.
“You won’t have to know somebody and you can get it on your own merit.”
Ms Voss said the next stage of the program will be to enlist more business, such as hairdressers, to volunteer their time to help job seekers.
Youth aged 15–17 should attend with a responsible adult, such as a family member or a caseworker.
FutureFIT will start as a pilot for six months and be run out of Big Group Hug’s Tarneit hub on Wednesdays between 1-4pm.
Self-referrals are not accepted and must come from professionals in employment, education, health, or welfare services who can also support the young person if additional assistance is needed.
Referrals: https://www.readyset.org.au/referring-agencies-registration
