Murrindindi - Connected and on the move!
Mon, Feb 11, 2008; by Bill Coppinger.Submitted by Bob Elkington and Lisa Wallace:
The Central Ranges Local Learning and Employment Network (CRLLEN) has an energetic Murrindindi sub committee that aims to facilitate positive pathways for local people into education, training and employment. Up for discussion at the final get together for the year, held in Yea recently, were the Kinglake Ranges Community Building Initiative (CBI) and the desire for improved outcomes for secondary students in the southern parts of the Shire.
Colin French and Anne Leadbeater were invited as guest speakers and their presentation went a long way to opening up broader input into this vital initiative. Anne and Colin are passionate about the directions the CBI process is taking the Kinglake Ranges communities and the sub committee members were very keen to understand more about the context and issues faced by the communities in the southern parts of this vast Shire.
Another guest at this meeting was the newly appointed Murrindindi Transport Connections project coordinator, Keith Edwards, who was introduced and given an open invitation to meet with the sub committee at any time. As access to transport is a key aspect of creating pathways to employment and training there was a great deal of excitement and support expressed for this project.
More will be heard from Keith as the Transport Connections project gets fully underway.
[Editors Note: The partnership group of the Transport Connections project met onThursday the 3rd of Feb to finalise the partnership agreement and to hear from Keith about plans for each stage of the project. An exciting time for all who are interested in improving Transporty Connections across Murrindindi!]Praise was given to local business people, for their involvement in the Alexandra Real Connections and Yea Step Ahead programs by both John O’Meara (Principal of Yea High School) and Andy Johnson (Acting Principal of Alexandra Secondary College). Strong connections between local businesses and education providers are vital if pathways from education and training to employment are to be strengthened.Rowena Naufal, representing Alexandra CEACA and the Yea and Kinglake Ranges Neighbourhood Houses, updated the sub committee on the ever-expanding array of offerings from this sector. Two of the initiatives discussed included the provision of Red Card training – allowing participants access to constructions sites – and the CRLLEN funded participants in the Training & Assessment Certificate.
As a result of the latter, we now have access to 13 more qualified trainers across the Shire.
One of the key actions of this sub committee for early 2008 is to hold a focus group with a representative group of young people to ascertain their views on access and opportunity as it relates to education, training and employment pathways in our Shire.
The Yea meeting closed with chairperson, Cr Leanne Pleash and CRLLEN CEO, Bill Coppinger, congratulating the sub committee on the progress being made in a range of areas relating to education and employment pathways across this region.
The sub committee is looking forward to exploring a series of initiatives in 2008 that will lead to increased opportunity for those looking to transition from education to employment or to expanding their potential in their workplace.
Contact:
Bob Elkington and Lisa Wallace
Ph. 0357720318
Related Links:
Kinglake Ranges Community Building Initiative
Continuing Education and Arts Centre of Alexandra Inc.
Kinglake Ranges Neighbourhood House
