Shepparton university students have an opportunity for paid placement while studying for a social work, welfare, community or behavioural qualification.
The Child Protection Employment Program pays up to 100 people a $59,141 salary (pro-rata), plus superannuation, for 12 weeks of full-time or 16 weeks of part-time placement.
Participants in the program will work alongside experienced practitioners, learning about child protection in a structured and supportive environment.
Applications for the paid placements with Victoria’s Child Protection team are now open to Shepparton’s La Trobe University and University of Melbourne students.
Successful applicants will benefit from the security of knowing they will be able to start their career in child protection when they graduate, with 120 people joining the workforce through the program in 2024.
The initiative, formerly the Child Protection Vacation Employment Program, started in 2015 and will have boosted the child protection workforce by around 500 staff by the end of this year.
Past CPEP graduate and child protection practitioner Jessica Del Tondo said the program was a great way to secure a rewarding and life-changing career supporting children and families.
Ms Del Tondo completed the program in 2019, securing herself a child protection practitioner role when she graduated.
She’s now a senior practitioner serving families in the Brimbank Melton area.
“The program prepared me really well for the world of child protection,” Ms Del Tondo said.
“It gave me exposure to what the day-to-day looks like, which was incredibly valuable.
“Since graduating, I’ve had so many development opportunities, and I absolutely adore this job, and being able to work with vulnerable families and improve safety for children.”
The Victorian Government has invested $4 billion over the past five state budgets to strengthen the child protection system, which includes $171 million in the 2021-22 Victorian Budget to boost the number of child protection workers on the front line and the 2024-25 Victorian Budget, which invested a further $128 million to support the child protection workforce.
Successful applicants can choose either a program that starts on January 20, 2025, or on March 3, 2025.
There are opportunities in both metropolitan and regional Victorian offices.
Applications close on Sunday, August 4.
A live Facebook Chat information session will be held Thursday, July 25, from 2pm to 3pm, with the CPEP recruitment team available to answer questions.
For more information on the Child Protection Employment Program or to apply, visit: https://tinyurl.com/ya4296sf
For more information about working in child protection jobs, visit: https://tinyurl.com/5n7n5t2w