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Partnership with PCYC leads to burger store jobs for teens

Going to the PCYC provides valuable support for Ipswich youngsters, but few would have expected it would also turn into a permanent job for some of those teenagers.

A new partnership between PCYC Ipswich and Council’s Office of Economic Development (OED) helped a number of them secure a job at the new Carl’s Jr burger store at West Ipswich.

Thomas Skennerton, business development manager for HELP Employment and Training, said all three levels of government teamed up to work with the fast food chain and PCYC Ipswich. Mr Skennerton’s organisation acted as project coordinator.

OED Manager Paul Massingham said it was a positive result all around.

“The Bansal Group (owners of Carl’s Jr West Ipswich and Redbank Plains stores) approached us to help them find a suitable location for their upcoming interviews and training for about 80 staff for their new store,” Mr Massingham said.

“Thinking outside the square, we approached PCYC at Ipswich, as they have some great function space available and also the potential for some of the kids to apply as well.

“Some 400 people applied and a few of the PCYC kids also applied and were successful for jobs at the new store.

“The team at the Australian Government’s Department of Jobs and Small Business and State Government’s Department of Employment Small Business and Training were very pleased with the outcome and will now seek to partner with other PCYCs around the state as it is a great opportunity and partnership for the whole community.”

Mr Skennerton confirmed that 486 people applied for the Carl’s Jr jobs at the store in Brisbane St, West Ipswich. About 300 were selected for a first interview and 160 of those short listed.

Carl’s Jr eventually hired 82 staff (ranging in age from 15 to about 50 years) in readiness for the opening in late August.

“We were able to coordinate this project very successfully with all three levels of government contributing and really supporting,” he said.

“Carl’s Jr was also very happy. The company is an all-inclusive employer looking at people who want to make this a long-term career.”

PCYC Ipswich branch manager Sergeant Neale Porter was pleased to see some PCYC Ipswich members involved in the process.

“PCYC encourages positive youth development through its programs and it was particularly rewarding to see some of our young members, who may have initially started out as observers, deciding to apply and ultimately going through the selection process and getting a job,” Sgt Porter said.

It will be the second store in Ipswich, following on from the first at Redbank Plains, which opened in January, and could be part of 20 Carl’s Jr burger stores operating across the state by 2020.

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