Access to training can open important pathways, but people first need a practical way to get there.
At Goodness Enterprises in Chuwar, limited public transport was making it difficult to connect trainees with learning opportunities, work placements and community activities.
Support from the ETC Community Support Fund has helped the organisation purchase a 12-seater vehicle to transport trainees and other participants. The vehicle is helping Goodness Enterprises address a practical barrier while continuing its work across training, food relief and community support.
Watch how reliable transport is helping connect people with opportunities
Practical training with a strong community focus
Goodness Enterprises helps people build skills, gain experience and connect with their community.
Based at the Tivoli precinct in Chuwar, the organisation offers traineeships across hospitality, retail, events, construction and conservation.
Niel joined Goodness Enterprises through its events traineeship and stayed with the organisation after completing the program.
“I did that traineeship and I absolutely loved it, so I’ve been here ever since,” Niel said.
Gio Mancini from the ETC Recruitment Team said the organisation’s impact extended beyond practical training.
“It’s not only the traineeships they offer, but it’s more of the family they’re building around those who potentially don’t have a family. I’ve seen the changes with lots of our placements because of the skills they have gained,” Gio Mancini said.
Goodness Enterprises also operates a community food co-op where members of the public can purchase food and hampers. A mobile food service extends this support to people who cannot travel to the Chuwar site.
When transport becomes a barrier to participation
Reliable transport is essential when training, placements and community events are not located near regular public transport.
Limited public transport was creating a significant challenge for trainees trying to reach training, work placements and community activities.
Goodness Enterprises had been relying on taxis and rideshare services to help people access these opportunities. A dedicated 12-seater vehicle now provides a more reliable transport option, helping connect up to 12 participants with the organisation’s programs and activities.
That made transport more than a logistical issue. Without a reliable option, participants could miss opportunities to build skills, gain experience and participate in their community.
ETC Community Support Fund helps provide a practical solution
Enterprise & Training Company (ETC) provided $57,000 through the ETC Community Support Fund to help Goodness Enterprises purchase a 12-seater vehicle for trainee transport.
The completed vehicle gives Goodness Enterprises a dedicated way to transport young people, trainees and people who have experienced unemployment to its Chuwar site and other program activities.
Instead of transport being left to each participant to arrange, the organisation can help connect people with training sessions, placements and community activities.
Making participation more accessible
The transport initiative is designed to improve access to opportunities. However, transport by itself does not guarantee that a person will complete training or move into employment.
Its value lies in removing one of the practical barriers that can prevent someone from participating in the first place.
Reliable transport helps participants reach training, placements and community activities. It removes a practical barrier, giving people a better opportunity to take part and build their skills.
Creating opportunities through local partnerships
ETC is a registered charity committed to giving back to the communities in which it operates.
Through the ETC Community Support Fund, ETC supports organisations responding to community needs relating to employment, skills development and major barriers to participation.
Since its inception in 2012, the ETC Community Support Fund has provided over $3.4 million to community organisations, including $2.4 million in the last five years alone.
ETC’s $57,000 contribution helped Goodness Enterprises purchase a 12-seater vehicle, providing a reliable way to connect participants with training, work placements and community activities.
With dedicated transport available, more people can access practical opportunities to build skills, gain experience and participate in their community.
