Are you a community engagement specialist with a heart for working with people at transition points in their life?

Are you looking for ways to really make an impact through vocational education and training (VET)?

Do you believe that every learner, no matter what has come before, deserves the opportunity to succeed, and that they can with your support?

Would you like to be part of a values and purpose driven organisation where your contribution is celebrated?

If your answer is yes, we’d love you to join our team!

About Us

WEA Illawarra is a not-for-profit Community College, Registered Training Organisation and Public Benevolent Institution. We have been operating since 1913, proudly offering quality, community-based adult education, leisure, and work skills, nationally accredited training, and foundation skills. Our vision is for connected and thriving communities of lifelong learners.

The Role

This is a Fixed Term contract until 30 June 2025, full-time (37.5 hours per week), or part-time negotiable for the right candidate.

The Outreach Support Officer’s role is to identify and engage with a diverse range of community members who are experiencing disadvantage or other social or economic participation challenges to:

• identify their learning, social inclusion, skills development and employability training needs;
• connect them with appropriate training opportunities offered by WEA Illawarra and ensure learning environments are welcoming, accessible, culturally and psychologically safe;
• support them to make progress, complete their training programs and identify next steps on their learning journey.

Critical to the achievement of these objectives is identifying, developing and strengthening partnerships between WEA Illawarra and a range of service providers, community organisations and businesses in the Wollongong, Shellharbour and Wingecarribee Local Government Areas, to ensure the achievement of mutually beneficial outcomes on behalf of these organisations and their clients or employees, in line with the goals of the Adult and Community Education (ACE) Program.

About You

We are looking for the next community engagement or vocational / adult education specialist who wants to take the next step in making an impact, a real difference to the lives of individuals and organisations. To be this individual you:

• Are an innovative self-starter who willingly participates in growth, development and evaluation processes, continuing to develop personally and in your professional practice to meet the changing needs of your position, career and industry.
• Have excellent interpersonal, problem-solving, and negotiation skills.
• Embrace the ability to build relationships and communicate effectively with colleagues, students and their supporters, and key partners outside the organisation.
• Have the ability and desire to work collaboratively with others in a multidisciplinary team as well as work independently.
• Have enthusiasm, adaptability, flexibility and ability to use initiative.
• Are emotionally resilient and have the ability to foster positive attitudes in an environment of continuous change.
• Respect for diversity with inclusive and culturally safe practice.
• Understand that you are required to exercise sensitivity, discretion and manage confidential information.
• Are proficient with technology, including using a personal computer and MS Office programs, Internet, e-mail, iPads, student management systems/databases and other technology for administrative purposes.

Further details about who we are, the benefits of joining our team, what the role involves, and how to submit your application, can be found in our Applicant Information Pack and Position Description located via this link: Outreach Support Officer, Adult and Community Education | WEA Illawarra

For a confidential discussion regarding the position, contact Dannelle Robson – Manager Vocational Students and Training on mobile 0401 681 225 or email: [email protected] using the subject line: Outreach Support Officer, Adult and Community Education - Wollongong enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Interviews will be conducted upon receipt of application, so please do not wait to apply.

A position description is attached.