28 November 2011 – Jobfind Centre Cairns has recently taken a unique approach towards engaging a number of its long-term unemployed job seekers and preparing them for work.

The project, an Aerosol-Art Workshop, has brought together 10 enthusiastic job seekers in a fun and creative environment to develop a number of necessary employment skills such as project planning, concept development and project execution.

Aerosol Art is increasingly emerging as a cutting-edge art form, with its designs being used commercially on everything from energy drink cans and t-shirts, to murals for clubs and shops. The art form was particularly chosen for this project because of its amazing ability to transcend social and cultural barriers to build vibrant, integrated and innovative communities.

Funded by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), the program has also involved training towards nationally recognised statements of attainment for a Certificate II in Vocational Preparation.

The team of job seekers, who have named themselves “Artistic Fusion”, were first tasked with setting up and designing an eight metre wide mural at Jobfind’s Cairns Centre.

“It was amazing to watch each member of the group taking on different project management roles and working together to successfully complete the project”, said Clare Davey, Centre Manager of Jobfind Cairns. “The change in their behaviour and attitudes has been remarkable, and it was clear to see that the Cert II training was really beneficial for them.”

Having now completed their mural, the team have organised an art exhibition at the local Cairns ‘HUGS Gallery’ on Friday 9 December. The exhibition is planned to coincide with, and complement, the Cairns Regional Council’s “Creative Crawl” Arts and Culture event to be held on the same day.

The group are excitedly preparing for the event, not only working three days a week to create new art pieces to exhibit but also bursting with ideas on how to maximise the event’s attendance – by including other attractions such as an Aboriginal smoking ceremony and traditional dance.

Artistic Fusion will have a range of their artworks on display on Friday 9 December 2011, from 6.30 – 9.00pm at HUGS Gallery, 70 Abbott Street, Cairns.

Above: ‘Artistic Fusion’ with their 8 metre wide completed mural project

Above: Other artworks completed by ‘Artistic Fusion’

Above: News of the Aerosol Art program featured in The Cairns Post, 8 December 2011

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NOTES TO EDITORS: About Jobfind Centres Australia Pty Ltd

Jobfind is a division of the Angus Knight group of companies, an Australian-owned organisation with a proven, decade-long record of providing quality employment and training services. A provider of the Australian Government’s Job Services Australia, Jobfind has placed almost half a million people into jobs since its inception. For more information on Jobfind and the Angus Knight Group, please visit www.jobfindcentre.com.au