An organisation that finds jobs for people who have difficulties finding employment has joined with the biggest employer in Northern Tasmania, the Launceston General Hospital to create jobs for socially disadvantaged groups around Launceston.

Max Employment and the LGH have created an innovative hospitality training project which will include among others, young people, indigenous Australians, people of African origin and parents wanting to return to work.

The hospitality project takes a holistic approach to the development of the participants. It includes Certificate 2in hospitality, work experience, mentoring and then a possible placement in a hospitality job at the LGH, which runs the second biggest kitchen in Tasmania.

The theoretical part of the course will be run over three weeks and will progress to a four week work experience placement at the LGH.

Max Employment’s Launceston Project Manager manager, Kristi Wicks says Max Employment, which has the aim of finding jobs and changing lives, is proud to be running the project.

“The program had been tailored by the Max Employment to meet the needs of the LGH and the community.

“We are committed to ensuring the participants receive the best possible training and mentoring to ensure they gain rewarding and sustainable employment ," Mr O’Keeffe says.

The Food Services Manager for the LGH, Dale Anderson, says the hospital is also proud to host the project to help participants develop marketable skills so that they can be placed into traineeships and apprenticeships with the hospital.

“The project’s a fantastic example of how organisations like Max Employment and community institutions like the LGH can work together to really make a difference in the local community.”

Bianca O'Neill one of the Job seekers on the program is excited about learning new skills and getting into the hospitality industry.

“The opportunity to do this program has really changed my life. The personal support and training on offer has already made a difference to me and the other participants on the course.”

Anyone interested in the services provided by Max Employment can contact Kristi Wicks or Michael O’Keeffe in Launceston.