The program is being funded by the Westvic Staffing Solutions Foundation and will help students with both their home school programs and Certificate III studies.

Westvic Staffing Solutions CEO Miles Coverdale said the program would create a link between curriculum being taught in the trade school at the Industry Education Centre (formerly the Australian Technical College - Wannon) and the student’s home school.

Students from Brauer, Warrnambool and Emmanuel colleges attend the centre.

Mr Coverdale said the new program was a good fit with the Foundation’s aims of supporting projects that enhance the employment prospects of students.

It is one of six being funded this year by the Westvic Foundation. Since 2003 the Foundation has contributed more than $400,000 to projects across south-west Victoria. Mr Coverdale said the projects promote a smooth transition between school and the workforce and help students’ skills and employability, particularly in trade and trade-related areas.

“There is a real push on to improve basic literacy and numeracy skills and this program will help trade students develop better skills in this area and address any issues they might be having,” Mr Coverdale said.

The Foundation has also allocated funds to Warrnambool College on behalf of WAVE Community College to deliver Certificate II in Hospitality as a VET unit to help students qualify for their VCAL certificates.

Mr Coverdale said the program would help needy students.  “Many are self supporting on welfare, some are homeless and all have been disengaged from learning for a period of time,” he said.

The funding supports the gap between the cost of the VET subject and the funds available through government assistance.

In other grants, the Foundation will help Mortlake College replace outdated equipment in the home economics area to maximize student achievement in either VCE Food Technology or Hospitality studies.

Mercy Regional College in Camperdown will use Foundation funds to provide commercial quality equipment for the commercial kitchen that the College established last year with assistance of Westvic.

Timboon P-12 School will use its Foundation funds to establish a meeting place for VCAL students, work placement employers, TAFE instructors, teachers and prospective employers.

The Timboon project also involves construction of an outdoor courtyard dining area incorporating a wood fired pizza oven, herb and vegetable garden, tables, paving, seating, fencing, water tank, sink and food preparation bench comprises the project. VCAL students will participate in the construction process.

Lorne Aireys Inlet P-12 College have received funds to purchase tools for construction of a “Men’s Shed” on the college site.

Westvic Staffing Solutions is a not-for-profit community-based employment and training organisation providing a range of employment and training services to job seekers and employers across Western Victoria.

Attending the Westvic Foundation Presentation event were (L-R) Simon Corbett (IEC), Gabby Theologous (Timboon P-12), Anthea Good (Mortlake P-12), Dot Jenkins (Mortlake P-12), Lisa Pope (MRC), Mary Pendergast (Warrnambool College), Miles Coverdale (Westvic Staffing Solutions)