Bridging the Gap expanding to develop careers

As a way to celebrate Bridging the Gap's 30th anniversary, the not-for-profit employment agency is offering courses to the wider community to help residents improve their circumstances.

Chief executive Colin Kerr said in the past the organisation had been limited to helping the unemployed but now wanted to expand and help those who wanted to develop their careers.

"People who've worked on the strip for 25 years don't know how to look for a job or interview and these courses are designed to help," he said.

Training and community manager Kay Masters said the four courses focused on different aspects of the workforce and how to secure a job, including how to work in mental health, personal and professional development, customer service excellence and how to build interview skills.

Mr Kerr said BTG surveys showed 70 per cent of its employers said people canvassing for work did not dress appropriately.

Ms Masters said personal and professional development and interview skills courses would discuss appropriate dress, workplace behaviour and boundaries and what assets a person had to offer.

She said people, such as stay-at-home mothers who were looking to get back into the workforce, left skills acquired in day-to-day life off their resume, such as budgeting, planning and negotiating because it was not learnt in a work environment.

Mr Kerr said the organisation wanted to provide this information to Rockingham, Kwinana and Mandurah residents to improve the community as a whole.

The courses start in October.

For more information call BTG on 9550 1111 or email training@bridgingthegap.org.au .