What is the EST Program?

Workforce Australia Employability Skills Training (EST) is a 3 or 5 week program designed to assist Participants in exploring their career options, to help build job search and workplace skills, and enhance their readiness for work.

Job searching and the process of recruitment has become increasingly complex as workplaces evolve. Participants seeking to enter the workforce can find the process difficult to navigate; where to search for jobs, how to complete a range of testing, how to address selection criteria, which jobs are in demand and what skills do I need for them. Many also require assistance with the basic skills required to apply for a job and attend an interview. Therefore, the EST program has been designed with a specific focus on developing job search and workplace skills aligned with employment opportunities in the local labour market.

There are two types of EST courses, Training Block 1 (TB1) focussing on intensive Job search and Workplace skills and Training Block 2 (TB2), exposing the Participant to a range of industries and specific job roles and providing a number of entry level employment skills

The courses are delivered face to face in a classroom environment and

  • are either full-time (25 hours per week for 3 weeks) or
  • part-time (15 hours per week for 5 weeks).

What you will learn

There are 2 training blocks in the EST programme.

Training Block 1 programs help Participants develop Job Search and Workplace Skills and the confidence to find relevant job opportunities, apply for positions and be successful at the interview stage. The courses are designed to equip participants with pre-employment skills and prepare them to meet the expectations of employers. Participants will also benefit from engagement with local business and employer representatives through a new focus called Industry Awareness Experiences.

Participants will learn how to:

  • use a variety of techniques and strategies to seek and apply for work;  
  • understand employer expectations;  
  • prepare a resume and job application;
  • prepare for a face-to-face and virtual job interview; 
  • apply specific workplace skills, including communication, planning, organising, problem-solving, and decision making.

Training Block 2 programs are designed to provide exposure to and an understanding of industries that are in demand. TB2 has two streams, General and Specialist. Participants can elect to experience the pathways and skills required for entry into a range of industries (General) or elect to focus on a single industry (Specialised). The courses will include nationally accredited training, leading to skills and outcomes which provide entry level employment opportunities. These include:

  • industry focused skillset programs leading to accreditation and licensing i.e. Whitecard for Construction
  • skills aligned to entry level employment opportunities
  • understanding the duties, requirements, career prospects and employer expectations of the industry
  • tailoring a resume and job application to particular industry
  • using technology relevant to entry-level employment opportunities for chosen industry
  • Industry Awareness Experience – work trials, work visitation, work experience.

Trainers at Signature Training College will provide intensive individualised support throughout the programs, to Provide participants with an appreciation and aptitude for the industry and workplace skills required.

Employability Skills Training (EST) Course Offerings:

The EST program will be delivered by qualified and experienced industry trainers in practical, interactive sessions focused on providing workplace skills for entry level employment.

Block 1

  • Unlocking your talent and self-improvement skills 
  • Job and work skills preparation- TB1 
  • Statement of Attainment in Basic Computer Course
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Block 2
  • Statement of Attainment in Espresso Coffee (Barista Course) 
  • Whitecard and Traffic Control 
  • Statement of Attainment in Early Childhood Education and Care (CPR, Basic Emergency Life Support and First Aid in an Education/Care Setting)
  • Induction to Disability Course
  • Customer Service Management
  • Individual Support – Ageing Course
  • Domestic and Commercial Cleaning Course
  • Individual Support – Disability Course 
  • Community Services Course 
  • Food Safety Supervision 
  • Traffic Management Implementer Skill Set for Urban Streets and Low Volume Rural Roads
  • Child care and early education course
  • Statement of Attainment in Cookery (Assistant to the Chef)
  • Certificate of Completion in Beauty Therapy

Are you eligible?

If you are a job seeker aged 15 or over and participating in one of the following programs, you are qualified to enrol in an Employability Skills Training (EST) course.

  • Digital Services, Workforce Australia Services or Yarrabah Employment Services, and either in receipt of income support payments that are subject to Mutual Obligation Requirements, or Disability Support Pension and has compulsory requirements
  • Transition to Work (TTW) 
  • Disability Employment Services (DES) in the employment assistance phase.

If you are a Digital Services Participant, you can self-refer to us through your online portal or those with a Workforce Australia Provider will be referred by your provider.

If you are not registered with any of the services listed above, you can contact the Digital Services Contact Centre at 1800 314 677.

How to enrol?

Online Participants

Participants interested in Workforce Australia Online can call the Digital Services Contact Centre at 1800 314 677 for referral.

Participants with Workforce Australia

Talk to your Workforce Australia provider if you want to take part in EST.

For further information on the programme, contact us by phone at 0485 835 590 or 02 8896 2036 through email at kamel.temsah@signaturetraining.com.au or est@signaturetraining.com.au

The Australian government provides funding for the Employability Skills Training (EST) programme.

 

How to refer?

For Employment Consultants

  1. In WFA, navigate to the participant’s profile and click on Placements in the left-hand column.
  2. Click on Add a Placement.
  3. Enter the Activity ID and select the Activity. Press Continue.
  4. Scroll down to the Activity Schedules section and select the relevant schedule. Click Next.
  5. Placement Status = Expected to Start in MOST cases unless the participant commenced the activity prior to the referral, OR you are referring the participant ON the start date.
    Placement Type = Full Time (25+ hours per week) or Part Time (below 25 hours per week) – Skills Based Training such as LF licensing or White Card are Part Time.
    Enter the Expected Start Date and Expected End date.
  6. Scroll down to the Requirement Dates section and select the checkbox on the top left to select ALL dates listed in the selected schedule.
    If the requirement takes place on a public holiday or weekend, you will need to acknowledge that it is scheduled outside of normal business hours.
  7. In the Job-Seeker Notification Section, you will need to select the Notification method (how you notified the participant of their activity requirement).
    Click on Preview Notification (it will not let you go to the next page if you do not view this)
    Select Next.
  8. In the Review Placement section, ensure all information is correct.
    Scroll down to the bottom and click Add Placement.

Where is the program available?

This program will be offered in:

Sydney East metro and Sydney Greater West

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