Local residents are set to benefit from new training, skills and employment opportunities with the opening of a new Skills and Jobs Centre in Echuca.
The new service was made possible thanks to funding from the Victorian Government and will be delivered by Bendigo TAFE at its Echuca Campus.
Business and community leaders joined Bendigo TAFE and government representatives from the Victorian Skills Authority (VSA) on Thursday 9 November 2023 to celebrate the opening, which will create new opportunities to help the thriving regional town flourish.
Bendigo TAFE Acting CEO Janelle Arena said the service would amplify the important role of the Echuca campus in the community.
“At Bendigo TAFE we’ve been connecting people with skills and training that leads to meaningful and rewarding employment for 150 years, and our Echuca Campus is critical to this regional impact,” said Janelle.
“Thanks to the support from the Victorian Government, the new Echuca Skills and Jobs Centre will help us extend career, training and employment opportunities to more people, closer to home.
“We are pleased to work in partnership with the Victorian Government through the VSA to deliver the Echuca branch of the statewide service, which we know delivers great outcomes.
“For example since our Bendigo Skills and Jobs Centres opened in 2016, it has helped more than 7,000 participants, and delivered more than 11,000 services. We hope to see a scaled benefit here in Echuca, and we’re on track!
“Since the soft launch in August, it has provided career support to about 50 people and started building relationships with the community including local schools and their career teams as well as many employers.”
(Image: Paul Stagg, Victorian Skills Authority Director of Engagement Katrina Currie and Janelle Arena at the centre's launch)
Echuca Campus Lead Paul Stagg said the centre will help individuals to make more informed choices as to their career and educational pathways.
“For many of us deciding what career path to take is a daunting task, let alone understanding what we need to do to get there,” said Paul.
“Staffed by qualified professionals, Skills and Jobs Centres help provide independent advice to individuals on how to achieve their training or careers goals, via one-to-one consultations or workshops.
“By accessing our services, individuals may learn to better recognise their strengths and transferrable skills and how to express this in job applications or interviews which may increase their likelihood of securing employment opportunities that aligns with their career goals.
“We encourage job seekers or school leavers (of any age) to come down and meet our friendly team and see how they can help you on the path to a rewarding career.”
About Skills and Jobs Centres
Get the right advice at a Skills and Jobs Centre where qualified staff help individuals make more informed career choices by providing impartial career information and advice. Our services are free and confidential and available to anyone in the community.
Talk to us about:
• Career development and planning
• Career, study and employment transitions
• Education and training advice and support
• Job search skills and application advice
• Employment trends, skills shortages and local labour market information
• Apprenticeship and traineeship advice
• Help to understand your transferable skills
If you need help or know someone that might need us, contact us to make an appointment.
Phone: 1300 100 606
Email: skillsandjobscentre@bendigotafe.edu.au
Location: Corner of Hare and Darling Streets, Echuca
