The Guest Speaker on the night was Matt Mudie from Operation Newstart Western (ONW).  Matt spoke passionately about his long term involvement with the program and introduced ONW staff member, Kate Tyndall.  ONW is an outdoor adventure program working with students deemed to be at “significiant educational risk”.  This refers to students who have failed to attend school regularly over a significant period of time, who are at risk of school expulsion, or not successfully completing their secondary education.  For more information about ONW visit www.onw.org.au

For a current listing of the BMLLEN Committee of Management click on the link below:

BMLLEN_COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT LISTING_2012

The Expo will be held on Monday 30th July and will feature guest speakers such as IT professionals who are ex-students of the Melton schools attending.  There will be a range of inspiring, interactive workshops and a number of stalls displaying information on ICT careers, the ICT industry and courses available.  Students will be provided with useful careers information, and there will be prizes and give aways.  Students who are interested in IT as a career will be invited to attend.  Transport will be provided to and from the event.  The event is funded through the ICT: Start Here, Go Anywhere campaign, Department of Business and Innovation, with contributions by the Brimbank/Melton LLEN, Victoria University and other industry organisations and representatives.

A similar event is being developed for Brimbank secondary school students for later in the year.

“A Gesture” is a dynamic not-for-profit organisation that is committed to making a difference by working with Second Bite sourcing fresh nutritious food that would otherwise go to waste and redistributing it to people who are homeless, living in disadvantaged circumstances or experiencing food security issues within the community.  “A Gesture” also offers work experience and life skills for unemployed individuals to gain proficiency in warehousing and food logistics.  In a supportive and kinesthetic learning environment participants engage with a hands-on program that aims to create fundamental building blocks that spark personal growth to become job-ready.

Not only does “A Gesture” provide students with the opportunity to gain practical warehousing experience they give back to the community by sorting and distributing surplus food that would otherwise go to waste to local charities in the Brimbank and Melton areas.

Kevin Hall, the Program Manager of “A Gesture”, is delivering the program out of warehouse and training facilities in Somerville Road, Sunshine.  Recruitment of Years 10 and 11 students for the traineeships has begun for the Brimbank and Melton schools and traineeships are due to commence in July.

For more information visit: www.agesture.org

• As a “partnership broker” the BMLLEN wanted to establish a closer strategic alliance with all stake holders in order to enhance meaningful student outcomes over the last two years of the BMLLEN contract.
• Secondly, to improve alignment of the BMLLEN’s Strategic Goals and Implementation Plan with issues faced by service delivery agencies in dealing with 10 to 19 year old young people.
• Over 50 people attended representing 11 secondary colleges, 3 primary schools, 10 Job Service Australia/Group Training/Registration Training organisations, 12 “Other” community based service organisations (eg. Brimbank and Melton councils, Centrelink, Djerriwarrh Employment & Education Services, School Focused Youth Service, Victoria University).  Also, the MLA for Melton, Mr Don Nardella.

The program provided an outline of the ‘partnership brokerage model’ with presentations by several partners, explaining a range of project work across Brimbank/Melton, and the BMLLEN’s role in each project. 

The program also provided all present to record current issues associated with their service delivery work and how we might improve student retention and engagement in education, training or employment.  There was also opportunity for informal networking during the program.

All recorded responses from participants will be collated and emailed to all participants.  The information will also be the basis for discussion at the impending BMLLEN Working Parties.  These Working Parties will be open to BMLLEN members and focus on 1) education/training/business and industry and 2) parents/families/community groups.

Click here to view BMLLEN Executive Officer, Graeme Brown’s presentation around the role of the BMLLEN.

On Thursday 15^th March 2012, the Education and Industry Awards for 2011 were presented at Club Italia in Sunshine. The event was organised by YouthNow with sponsorship of awards by the Brimbank Melton LLEN, the WynBay and Maribyrnong Moonee Valley LLENs, DEECD, Victoria University, Visy, Toll, Melton and Brimbank Councils, YouthNow and a range of other local businesses, education and employment agencies. The Brimbank Melton LLEN also assisted on the judging panel.

The awards recognised the achievements of young people participating in the vocational programs VCAL, VET and Structured Workplace Learning in 2011. They celebrated the strong partnerships in the western metropolitan region between education providers, business and community organisations. Entertainment on the evening was provided by Music students from Werribee Secondary College. The Assistant Regional Director of WMR, Terry Lawless, and Melton Regional Network Leader Jeff Cooper assisted in presenting awards.

The award winning students were praised highly by their teachers and host employers, and proved the value of completing VET programs and work placements to enable young people to develop their skills and to demonstrate their future potential.

Thanks to the staff of YouthNow for another well-attended and successful event and to all sponsors for their continued support.

Follow the link to view all Brimbank and Melton award winners

WMR Industry Award Winners-Brimbank & Melton

Merrill has taken on the role of full-time Project Manager with the BMLLEN with a great deal of enthusiasm and passion.  Originally, a Biology/Science/Geography teacher, Merrill has been working in the careers and vocational fields for the past 20 years and has held various roles as Careers, VET, VCAL and MIPS Coordinator.  A break from teaching enabled her to work as a Youth Careers Counsellor and as a Vocational Program Manager with a group training company.

Merrill has worked in Brimbank for 2 years as a VET Cluster Coordinator and has been based in a Melton school for 9 years.  Her aim at the BMLLEN is to work with schools to increase links with business and community through facilitation of networks.  Merrill is keen to assist careers staff in various ways in their careers programs, with a focus on improving career opportunities for disadvantaged students.

Merrill can be contacted via:

Email: merrill.farmer@bmllen.com.au

Telephone: 9361-9323

Mobile: 0408 325 166

Robin Lockington - Project Officer (Part-time, Tues/Wed/Thurs)

Robin is keen to support the programs and work of the stake holder members in achieving the goals of the BMLLEN Strategic Plan over the next 2 years.

Robin has a strong background in the education and training of young people from the Western and Northern Metropolitan regions of Melbourne and has spent the last 36 years working in state schools in these regions as a teacher and Principal.  Robin’s teaching career began in the Western Region at Footscray High School before moving to Deer Park Secondary College where he taught for 14 years before taking up Principal class appointment in the Northern Region where he worked for 11 years as Principal.  Most recently he has worked within the Melton Network of schools in a Relieving Principal Role.

The Project Officer role with the BMLLEN will provide Robin with the opportunity to continue with the work that he has enjoyed in his educational roles in improving the educational and careers opportunities for young people in the Brimbank/Melton area.  He looks forward to maintaining the connection with the education of young people and working with the BMLLEN stake holders on the transition and engagement programs to improve the opportunities for young people in the area.

Robin can be contacted via:

Email: robin.lockington@bmllen.com.au

Telephone: 9361-9322

Mobile: 0419 387 958

• Career Guidance
• Apprenticeship, Traineeship or work preparation
• Job Search Training
• Work Placement
• Connections with actual employers

Click on link to see further details

 Brotherhood of St Laurence Youth Employment Project Caroline Springs flyer

The staff of the Brimbank/Melton LLEN wish you a very happy festive season and a peaceful, safe and healthy 2012.

Graeme has been the BMLLEN Project Manager for the last four years and previously served the education sector for the previous 30 years.  He has served in the government secondary sector in the West as a teacher, Western Region Curriculum Consultant, Assistant Principal and Principal.

Graeme has worked in several schools in the West and neighbouring regions, namely St Albans Technical School, Keilor Downs Secondary College, Essendon High School, Bacchus Marsh Secondary College, St Albans Secondary College and Sunbury Downs College.  For approximately two years during his career he has also held positions with the Western Metropolitan Region in Curriculum Consultancy (Lincolnville Support Centre) and a short term contract in the Facilities Unit assisting with the Building Education Revolution.

In his previous role with the BMLLEN, Graeme has built strong and enduring relationships with our stakeholders and we look forward to a strengthening of relationships and enhanced outcomes for our young people in the Brimbank/Melton area.