Green Connect Op Shop

The Illawarra grew from the development of mining and manufacturing, particularly coal and steel. These industries created jobs but they also had a big environmental impact. Today, these industries are shedding jobs and the region has one of the highest unemployment rates in Australia.

This has made life more difficult and has affected some groups more than others. Wollongong has a big refugee population, and only 31% of refugees have a job 5 years after resettlement. In Port Kembla and Warrawong, where we’re based, youth unemployment sits at 22 to 36%.