Our Kitchen Social Enterprise

Our Kitchen Social Enterprise (OKSE) operates from the Ballarat South Community Hub commercial kitchen on Monday, Thursday, and Friday, offering workforce development and integration training programs. These programs provide practical work experience and training to long-term unemployed clients referred from Jobs Victoria Work & Learning Centre and Workforce Australia partners, helping them build employability skills and develop new pathways to education or employment. Partially funded by the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry, and Regions (DJSIR), OKSE offers Adult, Community, and Further Education (ACFE) hospitality-focused courses. Participants in the 'Cooking Up Jobs' course work with a qualified chef and TAFE teacher, learning basic kitchen skills and preparing meals for weekly community lunches. Along the way, they develop friendships, build confidence, enhance their resumes, and explore career pathways. On Fridays during school terms, OKSE provides a sit-down weekly community lunch, prepared and served by volunteers and students undertaking the 'Cooking for the Community' and 'Front of House' courses. The low-cost meal attracts between 80-100 people each week, with many older community members enjoying the two-course healthy lunch. Everyone is welcome to attend, and the lunches are generous. Since 2018, OKSE has been a certified Social Traders social enterprise. As a certified social enterprise, supporting OKSE creates a genuine impact, helping to create a fairer and more equitable Australia. Established in April 2017 with funding from the Department of Education & Training Capacity and Innovation Fund and the City of Ballarat Social Enterprise Grant, OKSE started as a two-day per week, 16-week employability skills development course called Enterprising Communities. Over the years, it has grown to offer a range of programs and services, including catering, community lunches, and hospitality training courses.