Over the past few months I have seen an increase in the number of "training organisations" (not local) taking advantage of government incentives and the unemployed.

These businesses are set up to line their pockets and very little else.

The scam is simple, the organisation advertises a warehouse role (that does not exist) on seek.com, often with an inflated salary to gain maximum interest.

Once people have applied, the organisation contacts everyone and tells them they are only eligible for the role if they complete a Cert4 in Warehousing. With the promise of a job these people complete a 12-week course.

During this time these people often turn down paid work as they think they have a job organised.

At the completion of the course they are given a reason as to why they will not be able to start the job and the company disappears and does not contact the applicants again.

These companies receive up to $3000 a person who completes the course.

There is a course just like this running in Wendouree right now, with a couple of our candidates participating.

Please, if you are seeking employment, do not attend a course with a company that is not based in Ballarat, particularly if it was in response to a job application.