Geelong service saved as it joins forces with Meli to address barriers to employment

A Geelong service that helps people in the city’s north gain employment feared it would have to close its doors due to budget cuts. But it found a new way forward.

Northern Futures board chair Rob Birch, Northern Futures chief executive Andrew Palmer and Meli chief executive Grant Boyd. Picture: Supplied

                                    

Leaders at a critical training and employment service in Geelong’s north are breathing a sigh of relief as a solution to a dire funding situation has been found.

Northern Futures will join community services organisation Meli, retaining all staff and its Norlane site.

The service put out an urgent call-out for financial assistance last year after the state Labor government did not renew contracts worth $1.5m in its 2023-24 budget.

Northern Futures chief executive Andrew Palmer said community fundraising in December last year was a temporary lifeline for the service.

“It gave us time to consider the best way to sustain the service as we didn't want the north to lose access to the programs,” he said.

Mr Palmer said while programs would be funded until 2025, money to support the organisation including wages, overheads and rent, had been at risk.

“The boards of Northern Futures and Meli saw opportunities to grow support in the north and keep the location,” he said.

Mr Palmer said there was no better outcome.

“At a time when so many services across the state are being reduced it’s good news we have found a way forward that will be more sustainable and more independent so we can continue to work with the community,” he said.

Northern Futures provides wrap-around support to help clients navigate employment barriers and find sustainable employment as a bridge out of poverty.

The organisation’s data showed 78 per cent of clients who undertook Northern Futures training in 2022-2023 found employment.

Meli chief executive Grant Boyd said bringing Northern Futures into Meli would build on the services’ positive outcomes.

“Bringing Northern Futures and Meli together will enable a firm foundation from which to build new and even more effective approaches to services aligned with Meli’s purpose which is supporting people, strengthening communities,” he said.

Mr Boyd said the team at Northern Futures would continue in their roles at the current

Norlane-based location and existing clients would experience no disruption to their service.

“Sustainable communities are built by increasing economic participation and social inclusion, and we all have a role to play in achieving that for our community,” he said.

The content summaries were created with the assistance of AI technology, then edited and approved for publication by an editor.

Originally published as Geelong service saved as it joins forces with Meli to address barriers to employment