School programs that promote the mental health and wellbeing of students and highlight issues surrounding alcohol abuse are among those to be funded by the Westvic Staffing Solutions foundation for 2012.

The Foundation has supported seven different projects with a focus on health, wellbeing and safety as part of its $100,000 community support program for 2011-12.

Colac Secondary College is the biggest recipient, receiving $8000 to bring the performance Cheap Thrills to Colac to highlight the issues of alcohol misuse to students, their families and the wider community.

Warrnambool College will use its $6000 allocation to promote the importance of mental health and wellbeing and the services available to students and the community.

Brauer College has received $6000 to conduct leadership sessions for year 9 students which encourage and develop their self esteem, confidence, leadership, trust and wellbeing.

Portland Secondary College will use its allocation from the foundation to support a year 10 health expo day which will encourage students to make healthy choices.

In other foundation allocations, Derrinallum College’s metal fabrication facility will be upgraded to meet safety standards and Mortlake College will cover travel expenses for year 9 students to attend a vocational experience program in Warrnambool.

The Warrnambool Volunteer Coast Guard has also been funded to purchase audiovisual equipment for use in training and in search and rescue operations.

A total of $100,000 will be allocated during 2011-12 to projects that enhance the employment prospects of students and promote health and wellbeing in the community.

The Foundation also covers the training fees of school-based apprentices employed by the training arm of Westvic Staffing Solutions, offers eight personal scholarships to young apprentices and trainees, provides financial assistance to host employers providing training places for school based apprentices, and allocates VET excellence awards to 25 students across the region.

The allocations bring the Foundation’s total amount of support to more than $600,000 since 2003.

Westvic Staffing Solutions CEO Miles Coverdale said the Foundation this year supported Westvic’s `Know Your Limits’ alcohol awareness campaign.