A new work for the dole initiative is helping disadvantaged groups gain skills for their future.

The Community Cuisine project offers free, nationally accredited training in food handling, occupational health and safety and responsible service of alcohol.

As part of the project, 12 people are able to participate at a time, serving meals from the kitchen weekly for a period of six months.

As well as feeding disadvantaged groups in the Goulbourn Valley area, it provides an opportunity for job seekers to gain some hospitality skills.

Coordinator of the initiative, Anita Cox said ‘on top of the training, participants will be preparing and serving meals to the public for free, mainly for local disadvantaged groups.'

The initiative is funded by the Federal Government's Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.