EMPLOYMENT
TRAINING

CLEANERS WITH A MISSION

   Unemployment

The rate for unemployment was 6.4% in 2000-01 (ABS). Of all unemployed persons in  that period, 23% were long-term unemployed (unemployed for 52 weeks or more). The risk of poverty is obviously greater for the long-term unemployed than for those with jobs or those unemployed for only short periods of time. Associated concerns include the well-being of family members, and the taxpayer burden carried by the wider community. Often the long-term unemployed often find themselves disowned or disconnected by their family. There is also evidence that the probability of welfare dependence in adulthood is increased for children who grow up with parents receiving income support.1 We are seeing second generation unemployed in job agency queues now.


In the inner city (postcode 2011) unemployment is as high as 25% adults for adults and 38% for youth. This is exacerbated by the high number of people on disability pensions, especially those suffering mental illness. Through an extensive community survey in 1994 and our experience contacting people in need, unemployment was identified as a major cause of the presenting problems such as family and relationship breakdown, violence, ill health and addictions, and the loss of a sense of personal significance. It was also identified at that time, that services for the unemployed concentrated on people who were job ready or at least training ready. Our knowledge and work with homeless people and the local community led us to believe that there is a stage before this which is being overlooked and which is perhaps the most vital. Those who are suffering this lack of personal significance and depression need to be supported and encouraged into activities which develop their interrelationship skills, give them a reason to get up in the morning and the motivation to begin the journey into a less destructive lifestyle.