About Us

Thu, Oct 2, 2003; by Bill Coppinger.

1. What is the Central Ranges LLEN?

 

 

The mission of the Central Ranges LLEN is to lead and support the development of local, sustainable and meaningful partnerships in education and training that will lead to opportunities for young people, as well as directly supporting the needs of industries, companies or small to medium enterprises important to local or regional prosperity.

The members of the Central Ranges Local Learning and Employment Network [CRLLEN] have a commitment to ensuring our communities have all the necessary resources at their disposal to fully participate in a rapidly changing world.

The Premier of Victoria has made education and training a key priority. He has committed the Victorian State Government to a

“whole new approach to the education system” so that all Victorians can participate fully in the innovation economy” (Government 2002).

 

 

We can’t stick to old ways, or tolerate poor outcomes. We need to work in different ways,
innovate, monitor outcomes and address poor outcomes when we identify them. We also need to
be far more active in identifying areas of need and responding to them.

(Strategy to Improve Education Outcomes, a speech given by The Hon. Lynne Kosky, MP
at the Education Foundation Forum, 23 October 2000)

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The Central Ranges Local Learning and Employment Network works in the context of Government policy that has the specific objectives of

1. Ensuring 90 per cent of young people in Victoria successfully complete Year 12 or its equivalent by 2010
2. Ensuring the percentage of young people 15-19 in rural and regional Victoria engaged in education and training rises by 6 percent by 2005

The Central Ranges Local Learning & Employment Network [or CRLLEN] is an independent not-for-profit community based organisation designed to work across all government, business and community sectors to improve the education and employment outcomes for people in the 15-24 age group.

The Central Ranges Local Learning and Employment Network Inc. was incorporated in April 2002. Its Australian Business Number is : 49 447 109 218 .

31 LLEN's were established by the Victorian Government in 2001.

2. Where does the Central Ranges LLEN operate?

Across the Local Government areas of the Macedon Ranges, Mitchell and Murrindindi shires covering an area of approximately 6000sq Kilometres and a total population of approximately 80,000 people.

Source: LLEN Victoria

3. What are the main issues in the Central Ranges region?

The Environmental Scan completed by the Central Ranges LLEN in February 2003 and updated in March 2004 found six key issues facing the communities within the Macedon Ranges, Mitchell and Murrindindi Shires.

These key issues are:

• Youth migration
• Limited Vocational Education & Training (VET) sector provision within the area
• Limited capacity of the Adult and Community Education (ACE) sector to respond to a variety of education and training needs
• Limited secondary school education options and alternatives within the area
• Limited employment options within the area
• Access to public transport and Infrastructure

4. How can I join or contact the LLEN?

Membership of the LLEN is free.

There are 10 main categories that allow all stakeholders and community members to participate.

Each local Government Area also has a Shire-based sub-committee which has up to three positions elected to the board.

In total, there are 20 Board positions available. Half the board retires and is re-elected each year.

These membership categories are:

1. Schools
2. TAFE Institutes or Universities with TAFE sectors
3. Adult Community Education organisations
4. Other education and training organisations including private registered training organisations, universities and group training companies
5. Trade Unions
6. Employers/Peak employer organisations/Regional employer organizations and employment agencies
7. Local Governments
8. Other Community Agencies and organisations, Commonwealth and State government departments, Adult, Community and Further Education Regional Councils, Regional Youth Councils, Area Consultative Committees, etc
9. Koori organisations, Peak Koorie agencies and Regional Koorie organisations
10. Community Members
11. There is also an 11th category that can be filled at the discretion of the board. Nominated by the Committee who shall be a Community Member or a person associated with an Organisational Member.

5. Why a Local Learning and Employment Network?

The Ministerial Review of Post Compulsory Education and Training Pathways in Victoria [the Kirby Report, 2000 ] recommended:

• "that a statewide pattern of local planning networks consisting of relevant education and training providers, industry and other agencies should be developed and nurtured. It emphasised the benefits to be gained by a local cooperative approach to planning including community renewal and strengthening, minimising duplication and wasteful competition and acknowledging community and industry shared responsibility and ownership of post compulsory education and training."

• "that the State Training Board be restructured to form a Victorian Learning and Employment Skills Commission (VLESC) with a broad role in providing policy advice and direction in post compulsory education, training and employment to Government."

The networks were named Local Learning and Employment Networks (LLENs) to give them a clear identity and to emphasise their relationship with the VLESC.

LLENs have an important advisory and information role in partnership with the VLESC.

In 2006, the VLESC created a video that highlighted the role and impact of LLEN's across Victoria. It is worth taking the 5-6 minutes to view this video and gain a genuine insight in to the power of coordinated community action when supporting the transition of young people from school to work or further education.

6. Membership

An online membership form can be completed by following this link.

or

You can download a CRLLEN Membership form here. [546k]

If you wish to contact our office, please send an email to info @ centralrangesllen.org.au and we will reply as soon as we can.

Phone: 61-3-57-811-014

Facsimile: 61-3-57-811-079

Our Postal Address is: Suite 3, No 1 Powlett Street, Kilmore, 3764, Victoria