TAFE Gippsland is joining with community and industry stakeholders in East Gippsland to deliver vocational training to some of the state’s worst bushfire-affected regions.
Supported through Bushfire Relief Funding, the Regional Employment Trials program will deliver new skills training in the Cann River community.
TAFE Gippsland’s Chief Executive, Mr Grant Radford, said that opportunity for targeted vocational training in specific areas of need has been great news for community recovery and employment outcome efforts in Far East Gippsland.
“Over the past 20 years, the Cann River region has undergone significant economic change with the cessation of the timber industry and a shift towards a visitor economy,” Mr Radford said.
“As result of the transition, local employment opportunities are now in the Hospitality/Visitor economy, Civil Construction and Conservation Land Management industry sectors.
“TAFE Gippsland has had fantastic support from the Cann River Community Centre and the CFA along with community interest, and we commend the work of our Business Partners and the Skills and Job Centres in working together to deliver these important skills training outcomes.”
A small event to coincide with delivery of a Safe Food Handling course, was held at the Cann River CFA shed on Tuesday 17 November, incorporating a ‘covidsafe’ BBQ for all participants.
Mr Radford said the event showcases the coming together of an East Gippsland community recovering from the recent bushfires.
“This is a whole of community event providing outcomes to local participants wishing to seek employment outcomes that is in line with the Bushfire Relief funding charter,” he said.
The Industry Ready Training project, is managed by the Cann River Community Centre in partnership with TAFE Gippsland, Skills & Jobs Centre, Job Actives and local business. It will deliver training courses and programs locally in Cann River.
The courses are directly relevant to jobs currently available locally, and they will target 21 unemployed people who comprise 5% of the district’s population.
This project is specifically designed and targeted towards supporting employment opportunities for the current and emerging opportunities as part of the revitalisation of the Cann Valley region, and East Gippsland, as it transitions to a visitor and tourism-based economy.
This project received grant funding from the Australian Government through the Regional Employment Trials Program