Central Ranges : Working with the Victorian Skills Commission

Working with the Victorian Skills Commission

Monday, November 15, 2004

Murrindindi Community Cabinet follow-up begins

The chambers of the Murrindindi Shire Council in Alexandra were the scene of an important meeting held today between senior departmental officials and members of the Murrindindi community.

The meeting today was a direct response to discussions that originated from the State Community Cabinet Meeting in Murrindindi on Monday the 27th of September.

The Premier has asked the General Manager of the Strategic Directions Division of the Office of Training and Tertiary Education, Mr. Phil Clarke, to meet with local government, business and community representatives to pursue the skills and workforce needs that were raised with various cabinet members during meetings through-out the shire. Also in attendance was Mr. George McLean, newly appointed General Manager of the Post Compulsory Pathways and Projects Division within the Office of Learning and Teaching.

The meeting was chaired by Mayor Mike Dalmau and attendees included councillors Graeme Brown and Bill Wall, Murrindindi CEO Danny Hogan and Director of Organisational development, Michael Chesworth. Representatives from local businesses and leaders from health, education and training providers within Murrindindi were also in attendance.

The meeting agenda included:

A discussion of current/future skill-sets of businesses within Murrindindi
Opportunities for integration of education institutions and
possible alternate education provision funding models

The meeting was an extremely constructive and open discussion about the unique current and future needs of industries and communities within the Murrindindi shire. While no concrete outcomes were achieved in this first meeting, the forum did resolve to begin more organised dialogue between senior Department of Education and Training officials and all Murrindindi stakeholders.

The meeting agreed that the Central Ranges LLEN and its Murrindindi sub-committee would be the point of contact for initial discussions.

Updates to this significant initiative will be posted in the CRLLEN website discussion forums.

Posted by Bill Coppinger on 15 November 2004; 6:49:47 PM from the The Murrindindi Shire Committee dept.

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Australian Technical Colleges Announced

During the recent election campaign, the Australian Government announced that it would establish 24 Australian Technical Colleges.

The Department of Education, Science and Training has now publicly announced additional details of this initiative. We have had many members of the CRLLEN contact us regarding this initiative and how it may impact on existing porgramme provision and facilities in our communties.

The DEST Website reports that:

The Australian Government would establish 24 Australian Technical Colleges, providing high quality tuition in both academic and vocational education for students in Years 11 and 12. The Technical Colleges will be located in regions of skills shortages; a large youth population; and a strong industry base.

Tenders will be sought to establish Colleges in the following regions:

NSW: the Hunter, the Illawarra, Queanbeyan, Port Macquarie, Lismore/Ballina, Dubbo, Gosford, Western Sydney

Victoria: Geelong, Warrnambool, Eastern Melbourne, Sunshine, Bairnsdale/Sale, Bendigo

Queensland: Townsville, Gladstone, North Brisbane, Gold Coast

South Australia: Adelaide, Whyalla/Port Augusta

Western Australia: Perth South, Pilbara

Tasmania: Northern Tasmania

Northern Territory: Darwin.

A discussion paper on Australian Technical Colleges will be released in the near future on the DEST website. Further enquiries may be directed to the Department’s hotline on 1300 363 079 or email technicalcolleges@dest.gov.au

Posted by Bill Coppinger on 15 November 2004; 4:29:37 PM from the Vocational Education and Training dept.

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