The Victorian Learn Local Awards are held annually by the Adult, Community and Further Education (ACFE) Board to recognise the inspirational efforts of learners, practitioners and training providers in the Learn Local education and training sector.

Nominations are now open for the 2013 Victorian Learn Local Awards. The Learn Local education and training sector makes a significant contribution to Victoria. It delivers the skills that support our economy and underpin the inclusiveness of our communities. The Awards are an opportunity to shine a spotlight on this valuable work. Through the Awards we acknowledge the sector’s many contributions and celebrate the success of learners, practitioners and organisations across the State.

Award categories

In 2013, there are some new and exciting Award categories with a total of $35,000 available to winners across five categories:

• Outstanding Pre-accredited Learner
• Outstanding Pathways Program
• Outstanding Practitioner
• Excellence in Creating Local Solutions
• Excellence in Language, Literacy and Numeracy Provision

This year, there are also two new acknowledgement categories:

• Learn Local for Business
• Learn Local Legend

Click here for more information and to nominate

Check out the Central Ranges LLENs latest presentation - VCAL 4 Life.

This video that was created and produced by VCAL students talking about the excellent opportunities the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning has to offer for students with a variety of interests.

For more presentations go to our Multimedia page.

The Health Industry Work Placement Manual has been updated for 2013 and is now available to download off the CRLLEN website. Additional health service provider pages have been added to the manual along with a contact list that has been used by the health industry network group. Minor changes have also been made under the Structured Workplace Learning section of the manual.

The Health Industry Work Placement Manual is a guide for schools, students and health providers that aims to assist parties to establish and undertake work experience and structured workplace learning in the health industry.

Cultural Careers Celebration Day

Thursday 30th May 2013

Benalla Community Centre, Benalla 

10am – 2pm   

Cultural Career Celebration Day is aimed at informing Indigenous students in the North Eastern Victoria Region from Year 7-12 and their families, about the opportunities of education training and employment options available in our local community.

The day has support from local and state businesses, tertiary institutions and training providers, who will provide students with access to a range of various displays, presentations and information about the different courses and pathways into further education, training and employment.

Secondary schools students in Mitchell and Murrindindi are encouraged to send students to this engaging and creative day.

Celebration Days

Each year, local careers celebration days for Koorie students and families are held across the North Eastern Victoria Region.

The Cultural Careers Celebration Day aims to provide Secondary Koorie students the opportunity to enhance their knowledge of training and employment options, engage with inspirational Koorie speakers and participate in a range of cultural activities and celebrations.

For further information please contact Misti Gow on the below contact details:  0477326757 or Atkinson.misti.a@edumail.vic.gov.au

Celebration Day Flyer 2013

For more information on previous Cultural Celebration days go to our Indigenous Pathways page.

In February 2013 the Macedon Ranges Employment and Training Network reviewed their strategic direction to collaboratively tackle the issues and opportunities for increasing education, employment and training for its residents.

The network has been renamed to reflect the important role that education plays in increasing these opportunities for the community as well as training and industry sectors.  The new title is the Macedon Ranges Education, Employment and Training Network (MR EE&T).

Taking advantage of the strategic direction of Macedon Ranges Shire Council, the network has identified key collaborative actions planned for 2013.  The objectives of the Network are to:

• Identify issues, develop and implement collaborative solutions to address them

• Facilitate the coordination between industry, training, community and community organisations around opportunities

• Promote opportunities around EE&T for MR residents, business and industry

The final plan will be completed in May and enacted in 2013.  For more information go to our Education and Training networks page.

The Victorian Training Awards, now in their 59th year, promote and reward outstanding achievement and innovation in vocational education and training. They also acknowledge the strong partnerships between training providers and Victorian businesses which are vital to providing a strong skills base for Victoria.

Winners of individual awards each receive a $10,000 fellowship and the opportunity to represent Victoria at the 2013 Australian Training Awards in Perth. Winners of the Victorian Small Employer of the Year, Victorian Industry Collaboration Award, Victorian VET Client Service Excellence Award, VET in Schools Excellence Award and Victorian Employer Award for Apprentice Development also receive prize money of $10,000 each for investment in their training programs.

All nominations must be submitted online via the Victorian Training Awards E-Awards Portal

For more details on criteria, videos on past winners and tips on addressing the criteria, see: How to Enter

The Minister for Higher Education and Skills, the Hon. Peter Hall, MLC invites individuals and organisations to apply for the 2013 Victorian Training Awards, see: Minister’s Message

There are 14 categories available for nomination in the 2013 Victorian Training Awards to be held in Melbourne on Friday 6 September and include the following:

Individual categories

• Victorian School-based Apprentice of the Year Award
• Victorian Vocational Student of the Year Award
• Victorian Koorie Student of the Year Award
• Victorian Apprentice of the Year Award
• Victorian Trainee of the Year Award
• Victorian VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year Award

Organisational categories

• Victorian Small Employer of the Year Award
• Victorian Employer of the Year Award
• Victorian Small Training Provider of the Year Award
• Victorian Large Training Provider of the Year Award
• Victorian Industry Collaboration Award
• Victorian VET Client Service/Support Excellence Award
• Victorian VET in Schools Excellence Award
• Victorian Employer Award for Apprentice Development

The new program page lists youth programs that run within the Central Ranges LLEN region that includes Mitchell, Murrindindi and Macedon Ranges Shires.

Current programs listed are:

• Workplace Learning Coordinators Program 
• Youth Connections Program
• School Based Apprenticeships & Traineeships

This page will be updated when new programs become available so keep an eye out.

This is the second year that the State Government has funded rural and regional councils across Victoria to come together in Melbourne to promote the wonderful opportunities and lifestyle that areas such as Macedon Ranges have to offer as a place to live and work at the Regional Victorian Living Expo.

In 2012 there were a number of requests for information about local schools and what specialities they had to offer those thinking of moving to the area.

In conjunction with Macedon Ranges Shire Council the Central Ranges LLEN and local primary and secondary schools, developed a brochure detailing information about the area’s education options.

The 2013 Expo was a success with an increasing number of enquiries about education , employment and training opportunities  within the area.

There are plans for a more coordinated approach by educational, employment and training stakeholders to increase promote opportunities in 2014.

The Central Ranges LLEN would be happy to assist Mitchell, Murrindindi and Macedon Ranges Shires with their expo presentations on education and training in the future.

Applications open 9am Tuesday 5 March 2013 and close 5pm Friday 28 June 2013.

This year there are three award categories for this year’s NAB Schools First Awards: Impact, Seed and Student. To help kick start ideas for applications there are eight themes that can be used as ‘thought starters’ across the Seed Funding and Student Award categories which will help students think about the different ways that students needs can be met by partnering with the community.

These key themes encapsulate the ways in which school-community partnerships are providing students with resources, knowledge and expertise to face the challenges of the twenty-first century.

These themes are based on areas that schools around Australia are already engaged in within their communities and address a variety of student needs and include:

Living sustainably
Being active and well
Caring for your community
Embracing diversity
Asia ready
Work ready
Entrepreneurial spirit

Open Link to further information: http://schoolsfirst.edu.au/apply

Macedon Ranges Shire Council is a partner and major sponsor of the Macedon Ranges Shire Business Excellence Awards, which forms part of an annual program of activities and initiatives to encourage business development in the Macedon Ranges.  The awards are an opportunity to celebrate and reward commitment to business excellence. Whether large, small, medium or home-based, all businesses make a contribution to the region by providing local products and services. They also provide employment opportunities, including traineeships and apprenticeships for local young people.

Categories include:

• Business of the Year
• Customer Service
• Food and Beverage
• New Business
• Professional Service
• Retail
• Events and Attractions
• Accomodation
• Trainee/Apprentice
• Young Business Person.

Nominations are now closed and are being judged.  A gala celebration is planned for June 5th at Kyneton Town Hall at 7pm where the awards will be presented.  The evening will include canapes and a three course meal, a guest speaker and entertainment.  The tickets are $80.  RSVP to Rayelle Morrison – Business Coordinator of the Awards.  Email: rayellemorrison@iprimus.com.au or mobile 0432683513.  For more information go to the Macedon Ranges Business awards page on the Council website.