For people experiencing homelessness, employment and housing depend on each other. Without a stable home, getting to upskilling or work opportunities consistently is hard. Without a job a stable home stays out of reach.
Since 2024, AKG has worked with Bethlehem House, a homelessness shelter for men in Hobart, and Vinnies Housing Tasmania to break that loop by bringing accredited training to where residents live. Across four programs, 11 residents have moved into paid work. The first program, Civil Job Start, won the Collaboration Award at the 2024 Tasmanian Training Awards.
Why standard training doesn’t reach people without a home
Most training programs assume participants have somewhere stable to come from each day. For someone without secure housing, that assumption breaks down quickly. Appointments, paperwork and day-to-day instability compete with a training timetable, and missing a few sessions can mean dropping out altogether.
Civil Job Start: training designed around the barriers
In 2024, AKG and Vinnies Housing Tasmania designed Civil Job Start to prepare Bethlehem House residents for work in civil construction. The industry was chosen deliberately. Tasmania’s 10-year infrastructure pipeline was worth more than $27 billion at the time and has since grown to close to $40 billion. Industry had warned the civil workforce would need to grow by around a quarter to deliver it.
The program ran onsite at Bethlehem House, so residents could take part without travelling. Support was built in on both sides:
- AKG Job Coaches explained how the civil construction industry works and what employers look for, connected participants with industry contacts, and provided case management throughout.
- Bethlehem House case managers were on hand during sessions to offer wrap-around support for non-vocational barriers that could potentially impact attendance and completion of training.
AKG and the Civil Contractors Federation (CCF) created the framework for the program, and Link Resources supplied the facilitator and equipment needed to run the program.
Participants finished with the entry-level tickets needed to work in construction. AKG’s Workforce Australia team then built an employment plan with each participant, including help getting to work and approaching employers on their behalf.
A resident-run business, and a wider network
During the program, Bethlehem House, CCF and AKG identified potential for the creation of a micro business to be managed by residents from Bethlehem House’s facilities. Rotary Clubs across Southern Tasmania now mentor and train the residents running it. That has connected residents with people who can help with housing options, personal goals and further steps toward work.
Three more programs, each matched to demand
Building on Civil Job Start, AKG ran three more programs at Bethlehem House between 2025-2026:
- Barista skills
- Commercial cleaning
- Traffic management
The barista skills and commercial cleaning courses were aimed at Tasmania’s visitor economy, which supports 1 in 6 jobs across the state, according to Tourism Tasmania.
Meanwhile, the traffic management course was timed for the spring and summer peak in roadworks and civil projects, in partnership with the Civil Contractors Federation.
“We value a collaborative approach and work closely with AKG across a variety of programs. Our Traffic Control courses are strategically delivered in August to prepare participants for the increased demand for workers during the busy spring and summer seasons.” — Tameka Page, Civil Contractors Federation Tasmania
The results
Across the four programs,11 Bethlehem House residents have moved into paid work in construction, hospitality and cleaning.
Paul’s story
Paul came to Bethlehem House after a long period in prison. AKG supported him and he now works full-time at Bethlehem House as a chef. Having support come to him, rather than the other way around, made the difference.
“I was suffering severe social anxiety, so having AKG workers coming into Bethlehem House for appointments made this transition much easier for me. Once I gained full-time employment at Bethlehem House, being able to have my ongoing appointments with AKG while I was on shift was a great benefit.” – Paul
Jake’s story
Jake’s support didn’t stop when he returned to prison. AKG Regional Manager Georgina Price made sure he kept working toward his qualifications, so he was ready to start work when he was released.
“AKG has been a big support in me gaining my White Card, bike licence and car licence… tickets I thought I’d never get.” – Jake
A partnership recognised, and still going
For Vinnies Housing Tasmania’s Stephen Shreeve, the program’s results were reason enough to put it forward for recognition.
“The program exceeded everyone’s expectations, and the success inspired us to enter it into the State Training Awards.” — Stephen Shreeve, Executive Manager, Vinnies Housing Tasmania
AKG continues to work onsite at Bethlehem House, bringing our Workforce Australia and Inclusive Employment Australia programs directly to residents.
“The success of the programs is due to the willingness of the AKG team and us to work together and collaborate as required. Despite approaches from other providers, we continue to be happy with AKG.” — Stephen Shreeve
