Opportunity Pathways

Evolve Housing residents attending the Imaginate Robotics event.

Through this important program, we support people in social housing, many of whom are not Evolve Housing residents, to overcome barriers and take advantage of education and employment opportunities, with the goal of helping achieve long-term positive outcomes in their lives. In 2021–22, we delivered this program in South West Sydney and the Nepean Blue Mountains districts.

Participants, who must be 17 years or over, are assigned a case coordinator who helps them identify barriers to employment and training. Case coordinators provide practical support with resume writing and interview skills development. They also advocate for participants, often driving them to job interviews and reaching out to potential employers on their behalf.

Ongoing support is provided for up to 26 weeks to ensure participants stay in jobs. Where required, additional support is made available through a brokerage system to help cover the cost of things like transport or petrol to help the clients remain in their jobs.

Although the program has come to an end in its current format, we were selected to continue running the newly structured program in South West Sydney for another three years — a strong vote of confidence in our capacity to deliver support services. We are one of only four providers chosen to continue the program, which from 1 July 2022, is funded through the NSW Government’s new social impact investment model, based on outcomes achieved.

2021–22 OUTCOMES

It was another very successful year for our participants and case workers. We exceeded many of our KPIs across both districts and notably, we exceeded our target for employed clients remaining in work for 26 weeks or more by a staggering 200%.

In the Nepean Blue Mountains, we supported 101 participants: • 47 participants were placed into employment • 36 commenced training and education courses • 25 completed their training.

In South West Sydney, we worked with 343 participants: • 128 participants were placed into employment • 130 commenced training and education courses • 73 completed their training.

Across our two contracts, we supported participants to land jobs in areas including traffic control, warehousing, retail, pick packing, cleaning, disability support work, administration and labouring.