This project aims to help job seekers better prepare themselves in applying for positions and navigating subsequent interviews.

The “Jobs Café” concept (there is no physical Jobs Café!) evolved at Hopes Café, Clayton Church, Beulah Park as a response to the significant number of those visitors who were demoralized by constant rejection in their efforts to secure work. And the recognition that in our community the establishment and maintenance of a person’s dignity is tied to being employed.

The project began as a stand-alone exercise in late August 2019: to date there are 870 job-seeking registrants (people from diverse cultures, refugees, migrants, homeless persons, those differently-abled, men and women, old and young…) and 344 have secured positions….plus a cohort of 613 supporters (including members of the marvelous Circle of Friends Association), all contributing at various levels.

Jobs Café is not a Job Agency per se… its networks are used to identify opportunities and it encourages and assists the job seeker in pursuing and securing them. It is independent, purely voluntary and informal in its activity: there is no external funding of Jobs Café and no connection with the bureaucracy….it simply seeks to help in this particular area of community need.

Activity is now largely based at Cibo, The Avenues Shopping Centre corner of Payneham Road and Nelson Street, Stepney and The Good Social Café, 307 Wright Street, City. Each new job seeker is asked to join the Coordinator for a coffee and a chat at The Good Social Café on 307 Wright Street: this face-to-face meeting is important in establishing trust and reducing risk for all involved as we work together in pursuing employment opportunities.

“The Last Tuesday of the Month” 5.00 – 7.00pm is an evening of some formality (a job seeking topic, sector speakers, success stories) and networking activities: attendance is free and averages 50 persons an event.

** HITsa Charitable Fund currently, and COFA 92 and AizoOn previously.

And for those seeking to participate and tap into what is being offered there is only one simple requisite:

“Just walk through the virtual door of Jobs Café”!

Peter Habel

Founder/ Coordinator

jobscafe2021@gmail.com