From humble beginnings in 1979, WorkVentures has grown to become a dynamic social enterprise, with a growing team in Sydney and Melbourne. Explore our history below.
1979
Originally starting out on La Perouse Peninsula in Sydney’s south-east, our initial aim is to resolve problems in the local community. Early activities include children’s and youth out-ofschool care, a recycled clothing business and a Post Office agency, as well as a range of community development projects including children and youth services.
1984
Incorporated as Peninsula Community Services Ltd (PCS), a company limited by guarantee. We open Compuskill, a computer training facility, at Matraville in south-east Sydney. Our focus moves towards employment services.
1986
Invited by the Federal Government to establish the first Information Technology Centre based in Surry Hills in Sydney. Our key activities are job creation through labour market training in computing, electronics, employment placement and small business development. Our partnership with Microsoft Australia begins.
1988
ITeC electronics repair business starts in our new Business Incubator facility in Surry Hills in Sydney.
1989
Maroubra and Surry Hills divisions in Sydney are funded under the new Federal SkillShare program.
1990
We are invited to take over the operation of the Sydney Business Enterprise Centre. We create a new division, focusing on small business advice, training and practical support.
1991
We change our name from PCS to WorkVentures Ltd.
1994
Our youth hospitality-training project, Newtons the Restaurant is established in Newtown in the inner west of Sydney.
1996
This marks the tenth anniversary of Sydney ITeC and the announcement of cuts to the Federal SkillShare program.
1997
JOBfutures is founded, a national employment services network with 23 other non-profit organisations. We establish WorkVentures Group Training Ltd, offering traineeships in partnership with host employers.
1998
Commence delivery of Commonwealth Job Network services.
1999
Sydney ITeC electronics repair business moves to a new facility at Mascot in Sydney and gains ISO 9001 Quality certification.
2000
We open new JOBfutures offices in Rosebery, Redfern and Macquarie Fields in Sydney. Fujitsu’s repair business is transferred to SIRC, and the Melbourne ITeC Repair Centre opens for business in Brunswick. Our Newtons Restaurant business is sold after five years’ operation.
2002
Western Sydney ITeC becomes part of the WorkVentures Group. Neighbourhood Technology Centres is established in Waterloo and Macquarie Fields. WorkVentures’ Connect IT low cost PC program is established and our partnership with The Westpac Group begins. WorkVentures along with the AMP Foundation, the Benevolent Society and The Smith Family establish Social Ventures Australia.
2003
WorkVentures’ Connect Neighbourhood Technology Centres open at Claymore in Sydney’s south-west and Woolloomooloo in the inner city of Sydney. Liverpool Community Networking Academy is established in Sydney’s west.
2004
Five WorkVentures Employment Services offices open nationally.
2005
WorkVentures and Microsoft Australia win the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Community Business Partnership, Longevity category for our 19-year partnership.
2006
Our Airds Local Enterprise Centre opens in south-west Sydney in November to support individuals in small enterprise development.
2007
We begin to pilot our iGetIT program in Redfern in inner-city Sydney, Bowraville in regional NSW, and Hope Vale in northern Queensland.
2008
WorkVentures begins to work in remote communities, supplying computers and technical support to the Hope Vale Indigenous Technology and Knowledge Centre on the Cape York Peninsula in far north Queensland.
2009
WorkVentures closes its Employment Services division. WorkVentures’ Neighbourhood Technology Centres in Waterloo and Woolloomooloo in the inner-city of Sydney close. Connect IT delivers its 20,000th low cost PC to a low-income household.
2010
We start working with migrant and refugee communities through our new i.settle.with.it program, funded by Microsoft.
2011
This marks the celebration of 25 years as a community partner of Microsoft Australia. Connect IT delivers its 35,000th low cost refurbished computer to a low-income household.
2014
Another milestone for Connect IT with the delivery of its 50,000th low cost refurbished computer to a low-income household.
2015
WorkVentures launch the KickStart Academy to provide IT skills training to disadvantaged youth and migrants. We move all our Sydney operations into one facility in Mascot.
2016
We move to new upgraded premises in Mascot with The Hon Bob Carr cutting the ribbon with 29 Trainees graduating on the night.
2018
In partnership with IBM, we deliver IT Agile Desk Services to Westpac.
2019
This year marks our 40-year strong celebrations. We award a Lifetime Partner Recognition to Westpac, IBM and Microsoft to mark over 30 years of collaboration.
