What an incredible month has just passed for the members and stakeholders of the Central Ranges LLEN.

There is considerable strategic activity happening across all sectors and local government areas served by the Central Ranges LLEN. Here is a snapshot.

• Trade Training Centre Application - After twelve months of planning, 400 hours of project work and over 20 meetings including all the Principals, many senior staff and the school councils of the 10 Government Secondary and Catholic Secondary Schools in the shires of Mitchell, Murrindindi, Strathobogie and City of Whittlesea, collaborated on a 15Million dollar, region-wide capital investment strategy [co-ordinated across all partners schools] for enhanced Trades Training Facilities covering all 3,500 year 9-12 students in Government and Catholic schools. The application was submitted to the Commonwealth Government on June 9th.

• Prime Minister visits bushfire reconstruction - The Prime Minister, The Hon. Kevin Rudd and Parliamentary Secretary for the Victorian Bushfires, Mr. Bill Shorten made low-key personal visits to Flowerdale and Kinglake this week to review the status of the recovery and reconstruction effort. Winter is now upon us and condition across many of the worst affected areas will begin to deteriorate rapidly as mud, slush sleet and snow increase across the region. The Bushfire-assistance fund established by the Board of the Central Ranges LLEN is still operating and has assisted many students and families with the purchase of new equipment, transport and other items to assist with education and training needs.

• A Skills and Training Dividend - The Board of the Central Ranges LLEN is corresponding directly with both the Chair of the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority Ms. Christine Nixon and the Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Victorian Bushfires, Mr. Bill Shorten. The purpose of this dialogue is to ensure that both the immediate and longer-term reconstruction efforts include planning that will encourage and stimulate the creation of higher level training, apprenticeships and pathways opportunities for local people. Within this dialogue, the Department of Education, Employment & Workplace Relations [DEEWR] invited the CEO of the CRLLEN to make one of the three presentations at a region-wide meeting for Employment Services Providers, Centrelink, Australian and State Government departments and the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority, in South Morang today, Friday 29th May 2009.

• Marysville Triangle Reconstruction - As part of this very important work, the Central Ranges LLEN is also contributing detailed social, economic and youth labour market data to a study being conducted by the Boston Consulting Group on behalf of VBRRA to develop a planning framework and strategy for the reconstruction of the Marysville triangle.

• Members may not be aware that the VBRRA has also released its first report on activity to date. The 100 Day Report was presented to the Premier of Victoria, John Brumby, and Parliamentary Secretary for Bushfires, Bill Shorten, at the official opening of the Marysville Temporary Village on May 17th.

• Award Honours Local Business Trailblazer - The Hon. Jacinta Allan made the presentation of our "Trailblazers Award" to Ellamber Homes at our Annual General Meeting in Flowerdale. The Minister spoke of the importance of the work of the Local Learning and Employment Networks in coordination of education and employment pathways for young people making the transition from school to work. The Minister complimented the work of the many volunteers and stakeholders that come together to provide local, but strategically important planning decision that involve business and industry.

• Kyneton Education Plan - The school councils of Kyneton Primary School and Kyneton Secondary College met and approve the the basis of the new "Kyneton Education Plan". The two schools will join with the kindergarten and create a school of about 1,100 students. The Kyneton Education Plan, involves the proposed merger of Kyneton Primary School, Kyneton Secondary College and Lady Brooks Kindergarten in a K-12 school (that also includes early childhood and allied health services)

Note: Have you caught us on Twitter yet? Our Twitter ID is CRLLEN

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