Employment Directions is a community based non-profit organisation.   In the Gawler and Barossa regions the organisation commenced as two separate bodies in 1978 to deliver Community Youth Support Scheme (CYSS) to unemployed youth. 

After 12 years of delivering CYSS in their communities the two committees then applied for SkillShare funds to deliver programs to all unemployed people.  Both organisations have served the people in this district by offering a range of services primarily focussed on assisting job seekers into employment. During this time strong links have been established with local employers to maximise opportunities for participants.  In December 1996 the two committees decided to amalgamate to ensure that when employment services “Job Network” became available for national competitive tender that the two organisations would be in a strong position to win business in the Barossa, Clare and Gawler regions that they had operated for 21 years.

Employment Directions were successful in becoming a Job Network provider, delivering Job Placement and Intensive Support to job seekers within the region. Peterborough and Port Pirie were included as new communities we operate in through a second successful Job Network tender; which has subsequently rolled in to a third.  The organisation currently has permanent offices in Nuriootpa (Head Office), Willaston (Gawler), Clare, Port Pirie, Kadina and Peterborough.

Employment Directions, since amalgamating, has also been successful in securing funds to deliver Job Placement Employment and Training (JPET), to assist disadvantaged youth, and Work for the Dole (CWC).  All of these contracts are funded through the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR).

SA Works was introduced in December 2003 to help create work and learning opportunities for people aged 15 years and over facing significant barriers in accessing training and employment. Funded by the Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology (DFEEST) and administered by Regional Development Boards, the program provides an opportunity for State Government and community organisations to develop responses at the local level to address specific issues impacting on regional people’s involvement in the labour market.

Employment Directions delivers SA Works funded projects across the Gawler, Barossa and Mid North Areas.  Some of these projects include:  Pre Occupation Training in the Barossa, Food Processing, Gawler Engagement, a project on the Yorke Peninsula and My Job in the Mid North

Other grants and programs are tendered for to ensure the organisation maximises services to the communities that it works within.

Employment Directions is also an RTO (Registered Training Organisation) delivering a range of nationally accredited and non-accredited training to its clients.