6 October 2014
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People who experience disadvantage face many challenges, not the least of which is finding suitable clothes to wear to an interview and during the early period of their employment. The Working Wardrobe, an initiative being launched by Melbourne Poly techic’s Work Education Centre is a not for profit clothing store selling clothes suitable for a variety of workplace situations, with money raised being used to outfit disadvantaged students for the workplace. Staff in the Work Education Centre will be able to give advice to people in understanding what type of clothing is suitable for work.
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Start-up costs were funded via a business development grant from the Inner North Community Foundation, supported by Portland House. Rosanna Matovinovic, a teacher at the Work 
Education Centre, explains that:
Understanding and being able to present yourself appropriately for work seems like a really simple thing, but in fact it’s quite difficult for some people for a whole range of reasons. We aim to help our students take that first step with the confidence that they look completely appropriate for their working environment.
Setting up The Working Wardrobe has involved a whole range of students from the Work Education Centre, including Rachael Wright, the multimedia student who designed the work vest logo, to the trade students who did the shopfitting and the retail students who set up and will run the store. In time, it will also involve the WEC’s budgeting students to help manage the finances as part of project based learning that is hands on for these learners.
“We hope that with the community’s support, we will become self-sustaining and be able to eventually extend the service to disadvantaged people beyond NMIT, in the local community,” said Ms Matovinovic.
Anyone who would like to donate new or good quality clothing suitable for the workplace can get in touch with the NMIT Work Education Centre on 03 9269 8390.