Westvic remains strong despite contract loss - media release 1-5-12

Westvic Staffing Solutions is disappointed after a consortium it is involved in failed to secure a new contract to deliver apprenticeship services to the region.

However, Westvic remains committed to the regional community and will maintain its focus on other core services including planned expansion of its group apprenticeship services.

Westvic has been delivering Apprentice Centre services in Warrnambool and across Western Victoria under a Federal Government contract since 1999. It operated firstly as a subcontractor to G Force Recruitment in Geelong and later as a consortium member to G Force, which was the lead agent. Western District Employment Access (WDEA) was also a consortium member.

CEO Miles Coverdale said Westvic was recently advised by G Force that the consortium tender for a further two years from July had been unsuccessful.

“We are disappointed by the tender result and will focus on supporting the four full-time and seven part-time staff from the Apprenticeship Centre through the process of finding new employment opportunities either within Westvic or with other organisations,” Mr Coverdale said.

“We will also seek discussions with a new provider to ensure a smooth transition of services,” he said.

WDEA will redeploy its apprenticeship staff within the organisation.

Mr Coverdale said the consortium had achieved a very high level of compliance against contractual requirements, as evidenced in regular audits by government representatives.

“We have worked hard over the 14 years of service delivery to register almost 18,000 apprentices and trainees with employers across the region. Both organisations have focused on high quality advice and information and have been proactive in the promotion of skills development to employers and jobseekers,” he said.

“Service performance has been consistently high for many years in supporting special groups, including those with disabilities or from Indigenous backgrounds, into apprenticeships and traineeships.”

The existing tender will continue until the end of June.

Mr Coverdale said Westvic would maintain its focus on delivery of other services. “This is part of the normal tender process and while we are disappointed by this result we will continue to look for other opportunities as they arise,” he said.

Westvic will continue to provide a strong group apprentice and trainee employment and training service, which was a foundation service when the organisation began in 1984.

Westvic currently employs and hires to host employers a total of 420 apprentices and trainees. “This service will continue into the future and all Westvic Group Training apprentices and trainees as well as host employers should be confident of continuing strong assistance and support,” Mr Coverdale said.

Westvic Staffing Solutions remains committed to building a new Warrnambool office.