Mt Beauty Neighbourhood Centre Inc is one of 60 Learn Local organisations across Victoria to receive grants totalling $2.3 million, provided through Round 3 of the State Government's Adult, Community and Further Education (ACFE) Board Capacity and Innovation Fund.
Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes has welcomed funding of $25,000 for Mt Beauty Neighbourhood Centre Inc to help them better serve the needs of learners in the region.
The grants help Adult Community Education Learn Local organisations such as Mt Beauty Neighbourhood Centre Inc to expand their services, improve efficiency, offer new courses and increase the participation and attainment of learners.
Dr Sykes said the funding will help to develop the capacity of the centre to best meet demand in the competitive training environment of the local snow sports industry.
He said, “The project will consult with local businesses to determine training requirements and traineeships.”
Mt Beauty Neighbourhood Centre’s CEO, Yvonne Evans said, “The funds will be utilised to develop a new strategic direction for the centre. There have been a number of challenges facing the centre this past two years due to government policy and we are hoping that this funding will enable us to undertake a critical examination of where we can go in the future and how we can get there.
“Sustainability is the key factor for us. Without a sustainable and viable future the centre will not survive and the community will be the ones to lose out. It takes an enormous effort to get a Neighbourhood Centre established in a community and once it is lost there may be no going back.
“We aim to prevent that if we can by being professional and adopting a business outlook towards our planning and development.”
Dr Sykes said that the ACFE Capacity and Innovation Grants have been designed to help Learn Local organisations to develop new programs to boost participation and learning.
"The Capacity and Innovation Fund is an initiative that will encourage innovation within adult education and support a sector of the Victorian education system that already does vital work in supporting adult learners.
"As a knowledge-driven economy, Victoria will increasingly need a workforce with higher levels of qualifications and skills. Through these funds, the Learn Local organisations in our region are further enhanced to help supply this education and training. Congratulations to all successful applicants from this round."
Each year the state's 310 Learn Local organisations provide education and training to more than 95,000 people, offering vocational, language, literacy and numeracy and work-skill courses.
Dr Sykes concluded, “In the 20 years that the community-based adult education sector has been recognised in Victoria by legislation, these organisations have helped countless thousands of people to an education and employment pathway.”

Small business information, support and mentoring will soon be coming to Nagambie when the Victorian Government’s Mobile Business Centre visits on Tuesday 5 June.
Member for Benalla Bill Sykes said the Mobile Business Centre will give small businesses in Nagambie access to valuable information about programs and services, including the latest schedule of business skills workshops.
He said, “The Mobile Business Centre is designed to help people plan, start and grow their business. Small business operators can access business tools, tips and the on-board mentoring service provides a fresh pair of eyes to look at a business objectively.”
Minister for Innovation, Services, and Small Business Louise Asher said the Mobile Business Centre will be delivering free business mentoring and face-to-face assistance to Victorian small businesses.
“Last year the Mobile Business Centre visited over 70 locations across Victoria and provided more than 750 mentoring sessions to small businesses.”
The Mobile Business Centre will be located at 324 High Street (median strip car park, opposite Prentice Street), Nagambie, on Tuesday 5 June 2012 from 10.00am to 4.00pm.
For other Mobile Business Centre locations and information on how to book a mentoring session, visit www.business.vic.gov.au/mbc or call Small Business Victoria on 13 22 15.

The Victorian Coalition Government will provide a grant of $560,000 over 4 years to support a leadership program for the Alpine Valleys’ brightest talent, Member for Benalla Bill Sykes announced today.

Representing Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional and Rural Development Peter Ryan, Dr Sykes said the annual Alpine Valleys Community Leadership Program would cater for up to 24 emerging and current business and community leaders from the region.

“The Alpine Valleys Community Leadership Program focuses on local issues and opportunities within the region, with mentoring and experiential education making up part of the program,” Dr Sykes said.

“The program comprises 24 days of activity, including workshops, seminars, industry visits, weekend retreats, a program launch and a graduation evening.”

Member for Murray Valley, Tim McCurdy said the Alpine Valleys Community Leadership Program had a track record of delivering wonderful results to businesses and communities across the region.

“It is very encouraging to see the amount of people who come out of the program with a whole new leadership mindset, gained from the experience,” Mr McCurdy said.

“Within twelve months of completing the program and utilising new skills and networks, graduates also participate in projects that benefit communities in the Alpine Valleys region.”

Mr McCurdy said the program provided a significant contribution to the leadership of the Alpine Valleys region, taking into account the need for diverse leaders who come from different areas and backgrounds.

Mr Ryan said funding for the program would be provided to the North East AgCare Inc from the Regional Community Leadership Program which is part of the Coalition’s $1 billion Regional Growth Fund.

“The Regional Community Leadership Program provides $6 million over 4 years to support Community Leadership Programs to plan, develop and deliver leadership programs throughout regional and rural Victoria,” Mr Ryan said.

“The Regional Community Leadership Program will strengthen the leadership capacity of the businesses and community organisations in regional and rural Victoria and facilitate the emergence of local leaders in business and the broader community”.

Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes today presented MACE CEO Paul Sladdin with a Certificate of Acknowledgement for the organisation’s successful application to the Adult, Community and Further Education (ACFE) Board Capacity and Innovation Fund 2011.
Round 2 of this funding has provided $33,863 for Learn Local organisation MACE to help better serve the needs of learners in Mansfield and district.
Dr Sykes said, “Community based adult education plays a vital role in Victoria’s education and training system, particularly in rural areas.
“MACE, and other Learn Local organisations, provide smooth transitions to other learning options and provides people living in regional Victoria access to retraining opportunities.”
MACE CEO, Paul Sladdin welcomed the funding.
“We are very pleased that we have received the funding and it will help improve our business operations.
“The funding will assist in increasing the capacity of the organisation to continue providing quality training options, affordable early childhood education and community development programs for Mansfield and district communities.”
More than 80 Learn Local organisations across Victoria have received grants totally $3.78 million provided through the State Government’s Adult, Community and Further Educations Board Capacity and Innovation Fund 2011.
The ACFE Capacity and Innovation Grants have been designed to help Learn Local organisations to develop new programs to boost participation and learning.
The fund will encourage innovation within adult education and support a sector of the Victorian education system that already does vital work in supporting adult learners.
Each year the state’s 320 Learn Local organisations provide education and training to more than 100,000 people, offering vocational, language, literacy and numeracy and work skill courses.
In the 20 years that the community-based adult education sector has been recognised in Victoria by legislation, these organisations including MACE have helped thousands of people to an education and employment pathway.