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Western Vocational Association INC, trading as Jobs West, has been assisting people with a disability or a significant barrier, into open employment. We service the North and Western suburbs of Melbourne and are located in Essendon. We receive funding for employment related services from the Department of Education Employment & Workplace Relations.
Our General Manager is Mr. Brian Paterson. Brian has worked for Jobs West for over 15 years and is committed to the ideals of the organization. His knowledge of the sector is extensive and we are extremely fortunate to have him at the helm.
The Committee of Management consists of four Executive Officers and four Committee Members. They are:
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I have been a client representative member of the Committee of Management since 2005. I have been working in accounts for the last seven years.
At present I am pursuing my Masters in Business (Professional Accounting) on a part time basis. I enjoy community service and in addition to being a COM member of WVA, I am the treasurer of the Moonee Valley District Girl Guides Support Group.
My other interest are Reading, Travelling and cooking.
Qualifications - B.Bus (Acc), F.C.P.A, Registered Tax Agent, MYOB Professional Partner,
Joseph has over 25 years experience in the accounting and finance industries. Originally working for large corporations including BHP, Brambles & Serco, he has over the last 12 years been running his own public accounting practice. He has also been a volunteer for various organizations since 2001.
Qualifications - B Ed (Secondary), Grad Dip Vocational Education and Training, Cert IV in Assessment & Workplace Training
Carol has over twenty years experience in teaching and adult education. Her many years of management experience in the tertiary sector, the not-for-profit sector and the government provide skills that can be utilised by WVA. She has been a volunteer in various organisations for over 30 years, her favourite quote is: “Exercise is a dirty word, every time I say it, I wash my mouth out with chocolate!”
I have been a client with jobs west for over 10 years, and the first person who signed me up as a client was Brian Paterson. After 1 year I went to Phillip Island from 1991. I was a volunteer for school camps and low income families. Whilst on Phillip Island , I was running disco's for families and school groups which was very successful. I stayed between years 1991-1996 and was employed as a Grounds man and ‘after hours' Manager I left Phillip Island in late 1996 to come back to Melbourne .
Between years 1993-1994 I was on a committee of ADD/ADHA taking care of kids, taking them on camps etc.
After a further 2 years of moving around a lot, I finally started work in 1998 for 4 months as a gardener with Jobs West Employment Service.
Jobs West assisted me into another job where, I was washing cars for 2 ½ years and then took a break for 11 months.
Jobs West has since assisted me into another position, in a Hotel in late September 2006 and I have been working there ever since.
I am currently in my third year of a Bachelor of Legal Studies at LaTrobe University and I have worked as a Legal Assistant for the past 6 years.
I have been on the WVA Committee of Management now for 2 years and I have gained many valuable skills and friendships as a result of my time spent with such an organisation.
I began my working life as a morning paper delivery boy for an amazing $3.50 per week. I loved the money but not getting up at 4.30am.
I later moved on to testing concrete for the M.M.B.W. where I got paid for creating a pile of rubble. Although I had always promised myself never to work in an office, I ended up working for 13 years for the Commonwealth Public Service.
Deciding it was time for a major career move, I left to become a high school teacher. But unfortunately, high school was no longer how I remembered it!
Along the way I learned the importance of being involved in community organisations. I have worked with Lifeline Melbourne as a volunteer telephone counselor and with the Country Fire Authority as a volunteer fire fighter ( when I lived in a small town in Gippsland ).
I currently enjoy teaching English to international students who have come to Melbourne to study at university.
Are you interested in Social Justice and being involved with your community?
If you feel that you have something to offer and want to be part of a committed group of people, please feel free to ring our General Manager on 9379 0477, who will be happy to discuss our service with you.
Western Vocational Association Inc was created in 1986 by a group of dedicated parents seeking employment support for their children who have a disability.
In 1991 the member for Maribyrnong, MHR Alan Griffiths announced Government funding for Western Vocational Association Inc citing this organisation as the first of its kind in the Western Suburbs.
This funding ensured that professional staff could be engaged by Jobs West to provide training and secure jobs for people with a disability.
This has created opportunities for people to work in the community.
Current members and staff continue to support the ideals of the original group, to assist people with disabilities to contribute to their communities via meaningful employment.
Jobs West has since gone from strength to strength.