WorkNext fee-for-service Job Placement Service - Social Business

The Model

WorkNext is a pioneering and daring move into the business world; there is nothing like it in Australia. It brings together the corporate world, social investors and people in the community in a brave new way. This innovative idea has been developed as a commercial arm of Catherine House Inc.

The fee-for-service approach has been modelled on current recruitment industry practice. Job candidates will be identified from a highly motivated, and appropriately qualified, pool of clients who will have completed the comprehensive WorkNext Trainee Program. In-depth research will take place with employer partners to fully understand workplace culture, values and requirements to ensure only the most appropriate candidates are put forward for consideration. Once placed, employees and employers will benefit from the support of an Employment Coach, as part of the three-month job management service, which includes employees being members of the WN Ambassadors' Group.

Trainee Program

The Trainee Program uses a unique '360 degree approach' to job-readiness training, covering social, psychological and skill development. The design creates a balance between strengthening each woman's ability to not only have the necessary practical job skill level, but equally importantly, the necessary personal resources to be a reliable and stable worker. Catherine House will have an in-depth knowledge of WorkNext trainees which will assist in ensuring the best match possible for all parties.

Employer Partners

WorkNext will enter into a range of broad-based partnerships with government departments, corporate entities and other business groups who are looking for highly motivated, well-trained and reliable staff, and who take a corporate social responsibility approach to doing business.

Investor Partners

WorkNext will seek out motivated social investors interested in being part of an innovative and cutting-edge social venture. It will offer the opportunity for low and high-net worth private individuals, corporate bodies and philanthropic institutions to invest in an exciting project that is unique, scalable and which will be self-sustaining in three years.

Confirmed investment to date: The Westpac Foundation has committed $150,000 seed funding capital to the business for the period 2011-12; the Wood Foundation has committed $50,000 for the first year of operation.

Launch

WorkNext was officially launched on Thursday 29 September 2011, at the Adelaide Oval. We were very fortunate to have Senator the Hon. Penny Wong, Labor Senator for South Australia, as our host.

Guest speaker Michael Traill AM, founding Chief Executive of Social Ventures Australia (SVA),  Michael joined SVA after 15 years as the Co-founder and Executive Director of Macquarie Direct Investment. SVA offers innovative and unique approaches to bridging the gap between the not-for-profit and corporate worlds, through encouraging creative and meaningful corporate social responsibility partnerships. Michael is an outstanding and thought-provoking speaker.more information on the official launch

To talk about the benefits to you and/or your organisation of being an Employer Partner or an Investor Partner or for any further information please contact Julie Baikie at julieb@catherinehouse.org.au