The Great Thing Happen Here Careers + Lifestyle Working Group was established from a collaboration between Greater Shepparton City Council and Committee for Greater Shepparton and Goulburn Valley Health.
The region is experiencing a huge surge in job opportunities and there are many “hard to fill” positions where we need to attract professionals from outside Greater Shepparton – both across Australia and overseas.
An Attraction, Recruitment & Retention strategy was developed to address the issues and opportunities.
The program has been designed and back by research and tells us as a community that we need to look at the whole-of-person approach when it comes to Attract, Recruit and retain new professionals to Greater Shepparton.
“If people moving to a new region are not deeply connected within twelve months of relocating they will move within two years if not earlier.”
Dr Cath Cosgrave (rural health workforce strengthening expert)
Therefore the drive to provide a relocation concierge service was critical.
The Community Connector Program provides a FREE service to support anyone contemplating applying or accepting a position with a Greater Shepparton organisation or those who have already accepted a job and are needing to move to the region to take up a position.
This program provides that extra piece to the puzzle with attracting and recruiting new-to-area professionals.
We have developed a range of tools and resources that will assist or compliment your attraction and recruitment process.
The role, the Community Connector Coordinator, is responsible for providing services and support in the following areas:
- An initial relocation service – finding a home, a school/childcare options, a job for their partner
- Social connections – with existing locals as well as other new people to the region
- Place integration – promoting awareness of the available amenities, services, events, activities in the region etc.
- Community participation – exploring opportunities to participate or volunteer with committees or community groups and sporting associations etc.
This service assists businesses with resources at the recruitment stage providing all relevant information about our region along with the personal touch of having our Community Connector Coordinator make contact with your preferred candidate to assist with some of those challenges of relocating goes a long way to improving the economic outcomes for our region.
Sharon Hensgen-Smith
Area Executive Director, Goulburn, Department of Education and Training
“From a Department of Education and Training perspective, we have been pleased to partner with the Community Connector Program at a recent trade show and to take advantage of their services as we seek to build our teaching workforce.”
Sharon Hensgen-Smith
Area Executive Director, Goulburn, Department of Education and Training
Attracting professionals to live and work in Greater Shepparton benefits us all. The city is experiencing rapid growth, development and significant investment and requires a surge in skilled employees for the foreseeable future. This demand is coming from across public and private sectors, in particular health, education, agribusiness and transport.
While government, business and industry have the jobs, there is more to moving to a regional city than employment opportunities. The Community Connector Program provides potential professionals with friendly and practical assistance to ensure they and their families successfully link with the social, school, lifestyle and recreation options Greater Shepparton has to offer.
From a Department of Education and Training perspective, we have been pleased to partner with the Community Connector Program at a recent trade show and to take advantage of their services as we seek to build our teaching workforce. Every professional family attracted to our community has the potential to bring more – building Greater Shepparton’s reputation as a “go-to” regional city of lifestyle and opportunity.
Pental Products
“The challenge in finding experienced professionals locally had been exhausted. This program has given us the confidence in moving forward with employing these great candidates with the knowledge the support from the Community Connector Program is ongoing.”
Pental Products
Pental initiated the recruitment process for two new research and development chemists to support the development function in the manufacturing plant at Shepparton. The challenge in finding experienced professionals locally had been exhausted.
We successfully engaged with two potential applicants, one from Newcastle and one from Melbourne.
After initial interview process, the applicants were invited to Shepparton to review the site, the role, and key leaders. It was at this stage we engaged (...) the Community Connector Program.
A great opportunity to focus on the ‘why’ they should relocate to regional Victoria.
Both potential employees were not familiar with the Goulburn Valley area and looked for assurance that they would be supported during relocation if they were offered and accepted the roles.
(The CCP) was contacted whilst the candidates were onsite at Pental and immediately reached out and arranged a casual coffee catch up. The support offered gave both the confidence to move forward in the process and accept the roles urgently required by Pental. Assistance with accommodation, community involvement/support and the opportunity to become involved with likeminded professionals helping them both to realise the benefits of our local community.
The community connector program offers support that goes over and above what could have been achieved from our business. This program has given the Pental business the confidence in moving forward with employing these great candidates with the knowledge the support from the Community Connection program is ongoing.
Thank you for partnering with Pental.
Tess Simkin
Goulburn Valley Health
“The Community Connector Program has supported 121 new hires to GV Health who have relocated to our region from either intrastate, interstate or international. It is a vital service (...) supporting GV Health’s workforce attraction and retention strategies. ”
Tess Simkin
Goulburn Valley Health
The Community Connector Program has supported 121 new hires to GV Health who have relocated to our region from either intrastate, interstate or international.
Bim has been instrumental in her role as a Community Connector Coordinator in supporting GV Health’s new recruits. Bim is dedicated to ensuring they not only feel welcome and informed when they arrive, but they are kept in touch with and well-integrated into our community. Whether that be with new friends, hobbies, community groups, advice or information about the region or just a local to speak too and keep in touch with outside of our organisation. Our new hires are beyond grateful for the support they receive through this program.
The Community Connector Program is a vital service offering in our community and is a key initiative that is supporting GV Health’s workforce attraction and retention strategies.
Catherine Klimeš
Program Manager: Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Latrobe University – P4PE Program
“The Community Connector Program has been an integral partner for the Shepparton P4PE Pilot program through their in-depth understanding of the regional perspective and needs.”
Catherine Klimeš
Program Manager: Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Latrobe University – P4PE Program
The Community Connector Program has been an integral partner for the Shepparton P4PE Pilot program through their in-depth understanding of the regional perspective and needs.
Without these insights, the Working Group would have struggled to have secured the required community connections that are vital for when professionals are making a decision to relocate.
This is especially true for migrants who are making a broader decision on what is right for the whole family.
Tools & Resources
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Are you a professional considering a move for a new lifestyle and career? This flyer outlines how our Community Connector Program can help to welcome and connect you to our community.
PDF, 664 KB
