14 / Fitted for Work - Empowering Australian Women to Gain Financial Independence
12 August 2011
With so many political and socio-economic problems across the world we sometimes overlook the issues affecting our own country. But did you know that there are approximately 300,000 Australian women struggling to find employment because they can’t afford to purchase clothing to attend a job interview?
It is an alarming fact and one that deserves attention.
We take a moment to investigate the invaluable work of Fitted for Work, a national not-for-profit organisation committed to supporting women experiencing disadvantage to find and keep work and ultimately achieve financial independence.
Interview with Fitted for Work’s Marketing Project Manager, Carolyn Tate.
Q1. Fitted for Work was launched in 2005. How did this come about?
Fitted for Work was founded by Renata Singer and Marion Webster after Renata was working at a similar not-for-profit organisation in New York called the Bottomless Closet. I became involved after a realisation while on sabbatical in France last year that I wanted to work on a project that empowers women. I contacted Renata while I was in France for a chat and now here I am!
Q2. Can you give us a brief overview of Fitted for Work's services?
Since 2005, Fitted for Work has transformed the lives of 6,500 women. As a not-for-profit organisation, our mission is to help women experiencing disadvantage to get work and keep it. We do this by providing free interview-appropriate clothing at our Personal Dressing Services located in Melbourne, Parramatta and Morwell and through our mentoring and transition to work programs.
Through mutual respect, compassion, integrity and trust, our dedicated staff and trained volunteers help women gain the self-esteem and confidence to achieve their goal of sustainable employment.
We continue to expand our services thanks to the shoppers at Dear Gladys, our beautiful vintage and contemporary boutique, and through generous donations from donors, grant providers and pro-bono partners. Their contributions personally help transform the lives of our clients.
Once we’ve fitted the women out we take them through our ‘conversations with a purpose’ which helps prepare them for the job interview.
Q3. How many women does Fitted for Work help on a weekly basis?
For the last financial year we dressed, on average, 30 clients per week. Click here to view some case studies.
Q4. What percentage of clients secure work following your mentoring?
A snapshot survey done recently in Melbourne revealed that 75% of the women we’ve dressed were employed within three months of their visit.
Q5. How do women in need find you?
They are referred through job service agencies and other referral partners. The agent will book their client on our website. The volunteers we work with (around 200) are critical to the success of the organisation too. Without them we would not exist!
Q6. Finally, how has working for Fitted for Work impacted your life?
All staff work very closely with clients in the boutique at various times and you can’t help but be affected by their stories. It’s made me realise the importance of my own financial independence. What has happened to many of these women could happen to me or any of my friends or family. There’s a misconception out there that many women don’t want to work. This is not true. They do. Self-esteem and self-worth are very closely tied to work. I’ve never been more grateful for my son, my family, my friends or my home. It’s changed the lens from which I view the world.
Over the coming months our consultants will commence one-on-one interview training to Fitted for Work’s clients. It is just one small way that we can use our expertise in recruitment to support their work in the community.
If you also want to help, financial donations can be made online and clothing donations are also gratefully accepted.
