News Item

COMMUNITY COLLEGE GIPPSLAND KICKS OFF

July 26, 2011

Community College Gippsland has been officially launched with a new logo and branding to take the training provider forward.

Community College Gippsland recently formed following a merger of ECG (Education Centre Gippsland) and ACES (Adult Community Education Sale). It is one of the largest not-for-profit community colleges in Victoria managing 10 campus locations across Gippsland. These include the McMillan campuses at Warragul and Leongatha, Gippsland Harness Training Centre, and campuses at Pakenham, Wonthaggi, Warragul, Morwell, Traralgon and Sale.

Launching the new College branding, Board Chair Cheryl Glowrey, described the formation of the new community college as a turning point for adult education and training in Gippsland.

“It will provide a greater voice to influence local, regional, state and federal governments to attract support and funding to make a real difference to skill building in our communities.”

In the few months since the merger, Community College Gippsland has extended programs into many smaller communities where people would otherwise have to travel outside their area for training. It has opened a new campus at Wonthaggi and extended programs in Yarram, Port Welshpool, Toora, Inverloch, and Foster for the first time.

“The launch of our branding is the next step in making our visual presentation to the community.”

Chief Executive Officer, Bernadette O’Connor, said the launch followed more than a year of work behind the scenes to bring the new Community College Gippsland to fruition.

“It has been a fruitful process involving extensive consultations between the two organisations and the result has been tremendous with staff and management working together to progress the transition which has made all the difference.”

She said the formation of the College was driven by community demand for skills training.

“We live in a rapidly changing and technology driven world and demand for adult skills training has increased markedly. There is particular need for programs that support a range of people including those who are socially or economically disadvantaged, have a disability, been out of the workforce for an extended period, or who are working and want to extend their qualifications.”

“A major focus of Community College Gippsland is to continue to build our partnerships with businesses and organisations to meet their specific training needs and build skills in communities.”

Ian Cover of the ABC Radio program Coodabeen Champions was guest speaker at the launch held at the Warragul McMillan campus with staff, students, Board and community members attending.

The evening also raised funds to support students in need to help meet study expenses with Warragul Country Club providing support for the fundraiser.

Community College Gippsland provides over 110 courses ranging from Certificate II through to Advanced Diploma level courses in Management, HR, Project Management, Business, Financial Services, Horticulture, Arboriculture, Agriculture, Aged Care, Children’s Services, Disability Services, Youth Work, Education Support, Hair, Beauty, Retail, IT and Hospitality training.

Back Row from left: Community College Board members Lesley Hocken, Jim Pennell, Peter Campbell, Don Ripper, Vivienne Helps, Elaine Cuthbertson, Graham Paynter.

Front Row from left: CEO Bernadette O’Connor, Chair Cheryl Glowrey, speaker Ian Cover, Julia Ettery and Des Williams.

For further information contact:

Paul Wilson
CEO
Community College Gippsland
Ph: 03 5622 6000