Visiting the Queen Victoria Women’s Centre today, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Bill Shorten was pleased to announce $150,000 funding for Fitted for Work on behalf of the Gillard Government.

 Fitted for Work is a not-for-profit organisation which has transformed the lives of around 10,000 women by providing a free personal outfitting and interview skills service.

 The network of volunteers assist women experiencing disadvantage to find work and keep it through their mentoring and transition to work programs in Melbourne, Parramatta and Morwell.

 Visiting the Melbourne boutique today with Labor candidate for Melbourne, Cath Bowtell, the Minister thanked Fitted for Work for their invaluable contribution and congratulated CEO, Jane Hunt on her commitment and leadership.

 “For many women, the first step to getting work is simply having a suitable outfit to confidently wear to an interview,” Minister Shorten said.

 “Fitted for Work help women gain the self-esteem they need to achieve their goal of sustainable, meaningful employment.”

 A recent survey of Melbourne clients showed that 75 per cent of the women they’ve worked with were employed within three months of their visit to Fitted to Work.

 The Gillard Government’s commitment of $150,000 will help Fitted for Work connect around 300 women from the Priority Employment Areas of Sydney West and the Blue Mountains, North Western Melbourne and South Eastern Melbourne with job opportunities.

 This funding will also allow Fitted for Work to expand their services to the Priority Employment Area in Adelaide.

 “Fitted for Work is achieving outstanding results and this funding will help them to do more great work with more women who need a little extra support.”

 “I strongly encourage business leaders to consider being a mentor and urge anyone with suitable outfits to donate them to Fitted to Work.”

 “The Gillard Labor Government believes that everyone who is able to work should be able to benefit from the economic security and dignity that having a job brings.”

 Women (59.1 per cent) in Australia continue to have significantly lower labour force participation rate compared with men (71.7 per cent).

 Australian women are also more likely to work part-time than women in any other OECD country. Almost half (46 per cent) of employed Australian women work part-time, compared with only 16.5 per cent of men.

 The Gillard Labor Government is supporting women’s participation in the workforce through a range of initiatives including paid parental leave, the right to request flexible work arrangements and help with the cost of childcare.

MEDIA CONTACT: Kimberley Gardiner 0427 138 106