Glen Waverley Uniting Church Internship Submission

Why an Internship ?

It has become apparent that young adults addressing such questions as vocation and call have limited opportunities to explore these things in supportive environments. There’s a need to find employment, in heading towards independence, as well as the questions that arise from church community in regards to ministry and calling.

We hope that by providing an internship within Glen Waverley Uniting Church, young adults will be able to explore their questions about ministry life, whilst gaining on-the-job life skills, experience and qualifications. At the end of the Internship we would hope that the interns had gained experience and support in making a more informed decision about their future, and are able to explore ministry as an option.

The internship also provides the church with opportunities, with the increased ministerial support (30 hours per week) for existing ministries. The government is funding training for under twenty five year olds without prior qualifications, so the financial incentive to begin an internship makes the idea within our reach.

Submission Purpose

To provide an experience of Church ministry and leadership within our local congregation and local community, and support ministry within the church.

Decision Sought

Approval to employ two employees, as part of the Government Internship scheme, for 15 hours per week, for 40 weeks, in GWUC Youth Ministry.

As outlined in this proposal, the decision is a cost neutral for GWUC.

Submission Overview

The following are the key elements of this proposal:

• Two church members, LauraMorgan and BronwynLowe, have expressed an interest in completing an Internship in Youth Work with GWUC, building upon their current voluntary commitments. Given their interest, we see that they can help us with this initial/pilot Internship. Other young adults could be identified for an internship, if it was found to be beneficial. In this instance, we suggest an application based approach next time round

• Government Youth Worker Internship is for 15 hours a week, for 40 weeks, totaling $6000 per Intern. The Government reimburses the employer for 2/3 of the Intern wage, $1500 after 3 months and $2500 on completion.
• Government approved training provider has given ok for our proposed application of this Internship scheme. They will provide on-going training, support and guidance during the course of the Internship.
• The Interns would receive a Certificate III in Youth Work at the end of the 40 weeks, given they have completed the training elements (1.5 hours per week). This will complement other qualifications they are seeking, and/or help them further explore/pursue ministry in this area
• Given that many elements of GWUC Youth Ministry plans are in place, and the externally focused ministry is expanding, these Internships also provide resourcing support, and help to not over extend Alanee and/or allow her to also assist other GWUC areas of ministry.
• A donation of $2,000 will be sort to support the internship short fall.
• The Interns would be on GWUC payroll. As their salary is below $31K, there is no increase in the Workcover Premium. Murray Lowe will also be seeking guidance from Presbytery in this matter before the Church Council meeting.

Key Benefits

• The Internship provides an avenue for our younger church members to explore their vocational interests and potentially a sense of calling within GWUC.
• The Government rebate makes the Internship financially within our reach.
• The internship also provides the church with increased ministerial support (30 hours per week) for existing ministries.

Internship Job description

The following provides an outline of the Internship Job Description:

• Interns would participate in the life and leadership of the church.
• The Interns would also have the opportunity to experience all areas of church life and will be encourage to experiences outside of their interest areas.
• All the interns will be overseen in a way that encourages the interns to explore, grow and utilize the skills trained in their certificates.
• Complete a weekly journal of activities and log book.
• Responsible for learning component of their Certificate, including meeting timeframe components.

Opportunity to display required competencies for the Internship is provided by this position description, and this has been confirmed in meeting with Government training provider.

Salary: $10.00 - $10.92 per hour, for fifteen hours a week, plus pro rata annual leave and sick leave entitlements. This draws upon Youth Worker Trainee salary for one and two years after completing Year 12 education. (This will vary year to year as ward wages rises etc)

Supervision of Interns

The Interns would be supervised by the Youth Ministry leader, AlaneeHearnshaw, and involved in relevant meetings, as appropriate.

Background on Internship Scheme

The following provides more details on the Internship Scheme, based upon a meeting between MurrayLowe, AlaneeHearnshaw and Government approved training provider:

Traineeship facts

• no fixed start or finish cycle. Arrangements are agreed between employer, employee and training provider
• maximum duration for the Cert III in Youth Work is 3 years if taken part time
• no fixed minimum duration, but employee must be able to complete training/study component and gain satisfactory level of competency
• no guarantee ongoing work will be provided
• 9 compulsory and 4 elective training units to be completed
• Must be employed either full or part-time, not casual (who is the employing organisation in this case?)
• Minimum 15 hours per week
• Employee must be provided 1 1⁄2 hours per week (out of the 15 paid hours) for "learning"
• No increase in employer’s workcover premium because salary is less than $31162 per annum
• Govt incentives are paid to whoever pays the wages

Process

1. Meet with training company Skills Training Australia to determine the nature of the training that will be provided, which aligns Cert III requirements with the employer’s and the potential employee’s needs
2. Employ the staff (full or part-time) for agreed period.

3. Arrange for Sarina Russo to visit and provide "Contract of Training", which is signed by employer & employee and registered with the State Training Board by Sarina Russo.

4. Sarina Russo performs assessment on behalf of the Govt. Employer will receive confirmation letter that incentive will be paid ($1500 after 3 months, $2500 on completion)

5. Without waiting for confirmation letter, arrange with Training Provider Skills Australia to produce the "Training Plan", which is signed off with employer & employee within 1 month of starting employment

6. Training program commences within 3 months of starting employment. Good idea to keep a diary of work performed and training received to help to justify that competency has been achieved if ever challenged.
7. After 3 months Sarina Russo will assist with submitting the claim for commencement incentive and will also discuss how arrangements are working out.
8. Skills Australia training provider will progressively deliver training and assess level of competency (via workbook, interview, observation, etc.)

9. Training is completed & provider does assessment. Employer also signs off that satisfactory level of competency has been demonstrated in the workplace

10. Certificate IIl is awarded.
11. Sarina Russo assists with claim for completion incentive ($2500). An extra completion incentive ($1300) is paid if employer has 3 or more trainees employed at the time a trainee completes their training.

Budget Considerations

The Government reimburses $1500 after the first 3 months, and $2500 at the completion of the 40 weeks, assuming completion of these sections of the program.

The wages cost for each Intern is $150 per week x 40 weeks = $6000. PeopleSuite consultancy has committed to contributing to the Intern program by involving the Interns in relevant consulting experience, while also financing a cost neutral position for GWUC.

ErnGreen Chair, Youth Committee
AlaneeHearnshaw Youth Minister
16 Jul 2007
Prepared for Church Council by Youth Committee, 16 Jul 2007

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CategoryYouth