Social Work, Op-Shops, and Job Training

Abstract

Many disadvantaged young people and adults, long and short-term unemployed, overseas arrivals/refugees, people with mental health issues, mothers returning to the workforce, and those disconnected from their communities have lost hope of ever getting employment. Numerous employment-training programs are narrowly-focused classroom-based simulations provided on a sessional basis, while real-world job training opportunities with flexible entry/exit points and on-site professional social work support for those disconnected from employment opportunities are uncommon. The STEP program, an innovative and engaging real-world training program in an opportunity shop (op-shop), gives hope and job success to disaffected people, offering life-changing training in every aspect of running a business in the retail and office administration sector as well as teaching valuable life skills, including job interviews, accounts and administration, and customer service.