FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER
As I reflect on the year that has been, I feel immense gratitude for our Board, staff, tenants and community. I’m inspired by the collaborations that take place in our community, all for the greater good of supporting people when and where they need it.
Our charter is to ‘inspire and foster individual growth’, which I’m proud to say is at the heart at all layers of our organisation, starting with our Board. We cannot deliver on our charter without collaborating with our community and our key partnerships.
I’d like to thank Queensland Government and the Department of Trade, Employment and Training’s ‘Skilling Queenslanders for Work’ initiative, which annually funds many of the programs that we deliver. As a not for profit, community based organisation, this funding enables us to deliver our charter.
Wishing you all a safe and merry festive season. We look forward to working with you in the new year!
ChiaraFarrell
GENERAL MANAGER
FROM THE BOARD
2024 has been yet another busy year filled with success and continued development. As a board we thank our valued staff for all their hard work and dedication to our participants and our organisations vision. Our site has continued to develop as a community educational hub where everyone is welcome.
A special thank you must go to Chiara our General Manager for her foresight in championing the Country University Centre Southern Downs and bringing others onboard resulting in funding being approved. We await the opening of the centre in Warwick.
This year we farewelled a long time staff member. Tanya Ryan was with our organisation for over five years and we are grateful for her dedication to our organisation and wish her all the best for the future. As the year closes, we look forward to new opportunities to service our community.
JanelleRobb
CHAIR PERSON
CONSERVATION & ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT TRAINEESHIP 2024
The Conservation & Ecosystem Management traineeship team had a massive 20 weeks, this year.
With early starts & lots of work off-grid the team had a massive, positive impact on our local environment. The team worked with SDRC Parks & Gardens teams, Queensland Parks & Wildlife, Land Care, River Trust, & also tended the beautiful native gardens flourishing at SDIEA.
NATIVE BACK BURNING
BUNNINGS SAUSAGE SIZZLE
The business trainees this year produced some amazing work, all while having heaps of fun as a team.
The have set the standard high for years of trainees to follow. This year they supported the Jumpers & Jazz committee & the Show & Rodeo committee, whilst also hosting some of their own big events & fundraisers.
THE WARWICK SHOW
BUSINESS TRAINEESHIP 2024
SHOW RIBBON STOCKTAKE
FOOD VAN
FOOD VAN
This year the SDIEA hot dog van has undergone a transformation. With hard work & inspiration from our trainees & staff a new artwork was designed for the van. Samurai Signs brought it to life for us. With the re-branding comes endless possibilities to run this social enterprise to offer so much more than hotdogs & the creation of SDIEA Catering. We are now able to offer a variety of menu & catering options both on & offsite. With this comes so many new training opportunities for those who complete a traineeship with us.
SDIEA
What is Social Enterprise?
A social enterprise is an organisation that applies commercial strategies to maximise improvements in human and environmental well-being. Unlike traditional businesses, the primary goal is to address social issues, with profits being reinvested to further the mission rather than distributed to an owner/shareholder.
Why is SDIEA doing Social Enterprise?
SDIEA (Southern Downs Industry Education Association) is engaged in social enterprise to achieve our mission of supporting social development & inclusion & providing lifelong learning pathways to our participants. By operating a social enterprise, SDIEA can generate revenue to fund our programs & services while creating social impact, such as providing job opportunities, promoting community engagement, or addressing specific social needs. We do receive funding on occasions to support our cause, though to create a sustainable organisation, we do need to diversify how we achieve income. We were particularly inspired by an organisation called KOTO (Know One, Teach One) in Vietnam that provide world class hospitality service & have direct relationships with high end hospitality businesses. It is worth looking them up as what they do as a social enterprise is incredibly special. We will not be operating at the same level though do hope to make an impact in our own community.
Are Staff Trained?
Yes, staff are trained & have appropriate food safety qualifications. They are trained to ensure they have the skills & knowledge necessary for their roles. This training also includes areas related to SDIEA’s mission, operational procedures, & any specific skills required for their tasks.
Are Staff Paid?
Yes, staff at social enterprises are paid for their work. Social enterprises provide fair wages as part of their commitment to ethical practices & supporting their employees. The aim is to ensure that staff are compensated appropriately for their contributions.
Does SDIEA Have Food Safety & Supervision Qualifications?
It is crucial for our team to have relevant food safety & supervision qualifications. This ensures that our organisation adheres to health regulations & maintain high standards in food handling & preparation.
Does SDIEA Have Relevant Insurances?
Yes, having the appropriate insurances is important for any social enterprise, including our own. This includes liability insurance, property insurance, & other relevant coverage to protect against potential risks & liabilities associated with operations.
Will SDIEA’s Food Van Compete with Other Businesses?
SDIEA’s holds an intention that staff employed though our social enterprise are later employed by other local businesses. Our goal is to support people into employment & provide learning & opportunities in the interim. The intention of a social enterprise is to balance competition with collaboration. The focus is on providing quality services while advancing social goals. Competition is a part of the business landscape, & it will be managed in a way that aligns with our mission & values. Our intention will be to identify ‘gaps’ in food service locally as opposed to competing with established hospitality businesses.
TRIVIA NIGHT 2024
A first for SDIEA in 2024 was our community trivia night, what a success it was with over 80 people & some amazing feedback.
The event started as a suggestion in a fundraising brainstorming session in the Business Traineeship, looking for means to keep our Jazzercise World Record attempt event free for the community & evolved from there. The Business team did all the planning, organising & hosting of the event, & with the assistance of the newly started Hospitality Trainee Team ran the event including the food van & bar. Team Pork & Slaw took out first place & won some big prizes.
Everyone had a great night... so watch this space there could just be a 2025 Trivia Night!
JAZZERCISE - WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT 2024
BT24 (the business trainees of 2024) had a motto this year; Go Big or Go Home!
This was definitely the case for our Jumpers & Jazz in July event with the World Record attempt for the Worlds Largest Jazzercise Class. We had over 300 people in attendance, setting the Australian record but falling short of the world record... maybe next time.
A massive shout out & thank-you to everyone who helped make this event possible; Jumpers & Jazz, The Y, The Criterion Hotel, Rose City FM, The Town & Country Journal, Creed & Lang, Cool Beans & The Australian Book of Records.
And of course everyone who attended including The Ellie Kelso Dance group, Top Hat Dance Studio & Southern Downs Ark.
HOSPITALITY TRAINEESHIP 2024
SDIEA CATERING FOOD VAN
SOUTHERN CROSS BOWLS CLUB
HOSPITALITY TRAINEESHIP 2024
The Hospitality Trainees hit the ground running this year & were a massive part of some of SDIEA’s big events & the creation of SDIEA Catering.
We had a creative team of individuals who perfected the art of presenting food & working quickly under pressure. The team built a great bond while working as a team.
The trainees & the food van were present at some big community events. They catered for several on-site training events, providing delicious food & great customer service.
TALK LIKE A PIRATE DAY
COMMUNITY WORK SKILLS
COURSES
GET SET FOR WORK
We had a fantastic initial response to Get Set for Work (GSFW) in 2024 with the course filling to compacity in record time. The 15 - 19 y/o in GSFW had a choice of study options & could do a Certificate ll in Retail Services, or Hospitality. This was just the beginning with the participants completing a variety of short courses, personal & professional development activities & work preparation including resume writing. They learnt about & set up; Tax File numbers, USI’s, Seek profiles, Superannuation, & Online Banking. The team also had industry visits from the bank & other services available in the community. They did a mystery shopping experience to learn the do’s & don’ts of working in retail.
INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT
All our graduating participants achieved their Certificate lll in Individual Support & gained industry experience through completing the work placement component of their course. This certificate is the entry requirement to work in support work in aged & disability care. SDIEA have supported these participants in completing their studies, also learning the fundamentals of looking for work in the industry & being work ready.
CHILD CARE
As we reach the end of 2024 the group of participants studying their Certificate lll in Early Childhood Education & Care are finalising the last of their study units & work placement hours. The team have learnt a lot through their placement at Goodstart Early Learning from their professional & skilled educators. The participants are all excited about 2025 & finding the next steps in their careers in Childcare.
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION SKILLS
This entry level course assists participants to gain a Certificate ll in Vocational Pathways whilst learning life & study skills. We had a great team of participants this year all taking away a variety of new skills & abilities. The team have all improved their language & literacy skills & are feeling much more confident using computers & online services.
COMMUNITY WORK SKILLS COURSES
The engineering participants worked hard to obtain their Certificate ll in Engineering Pathways with their sights set on obtaining an Engineering apprenticeship. This preapprenticeship course is the perfect way to work out your next steps in your career & give your resume a boost when applying for apprenticeships.
AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING
Our Automotive participants are completing their study of the Certificate ll in Automotive Pathways over the end of 2024 & beginning of 2025. This pre-apprenticeship course is an excellent opportunity to gain industry insights & a step ahead of the rest when applying for mechanical apprenticeships. The participants are enjoying every opportunity they get to be in the workshop as part of their study.
As an extra to the course SDIEA have organised work experience for the team over the Christmas study break, which they are all looking forward to.
STAFF NEWS
SDIEA have had some amazing staff working with us during 2024.
Chiara: General Manager
Tanya: Administration, Community Foundation Skills & Childcare
Anthony: Conservation & Ecosystem Management Warwick
Matt: Conservation & Ecosystem Management Stanthorpe
Casey: Individual Support
Sam: Engineering
Katrina: Get Set for Work
Lisa: Business Traineeship, Hospitality Traineeship & Automotive
The continued success of SDIEA & the programs that we run is largely due to the group of passionate employees who have so much dedication & compassion for the work they do & the participants they inspire.
This year Tanya celebrated 5 years of working with SDIEA.
She has worked across a large variety programs, has a great knowledge in them all & has been an important part of the SDIEA team.
The SDIEA Board for 2024 has been an integral driving force behind our success this year & has consisted of:
Janelle Robb: Chair
Pam Burley: Secretary
Justin Nolan: Treasurer
Cr. Sheryl Windle: Community Representative
Alison Somerset: Community Representative
Morwenna Harslett: SDRC Representative
Jacinta Boland: Community Representative
Jo McNally: Community Representative
Are you a community services professional with a passion for education & supporting others to excel?
Do you have experience in one of the fields we provide training in?
You never know when the next opportunity to work with our team will become available. Interested? Contact us to discuss.
TRAINING AWARDS
SDIEA were proud to receive recognition in the Queensland Training Awards 2024, winning Darling Downs South West Region Community Training Initiative of the year & a finalist for the State Award. The Eat, Shop, Stay Local Guide produced by the Business Trainees 2023 for Jumpers & Jazz in July was the nominated initiative with much hard work put into the guide by the team.
Regional Winner
TESTIMONIALS
I have a lot of thanks to give to the team at SDIEA. You guys provided me with invaluable support in helping me reclaim my drive for success. Overcoming anxiety and uncovering the confidence that lies hidden within. Your guidance brought on an empowerment which has helped me face uncertainties with resilience and embrace my full potential. It's always heartening to acknowledge the impact such support systems can have on our personal and professional growth! So thank you again from the bottom of my heart.
Stacey - Business Trainee 2024
SDIEA has given great service, great experience, and overall very enjoyable environment, and I hope to see them about possible work experience opportunities in Stanthorpe.
Raymond - Automotive 2024
I recommend SDIEA to anyone who's looking for a traineeship who hasn't been here before it is a great experience, and you will make good friends with everyone. 10/10 would recommend. It might be easy at first but later on in the course with all the catering jobs it will get harder, and you will learn a lot.
Teleah - Hospitality 2024
On behalf of Killarney P-10 State School's 150th Anniversary Organising Committee, I write to sincerely thank you, and your staff, for catering at our Celebrations and helping to make the Event the success it was. Your attendance was very much appreciated and enjoyed by many.
Glen
Expressions of interest are now open for training with us in 2025.
2025
We have some of our most popular courses over recent years locked in to return in the new year & will have more to follow once confirmation is received - so watch this space!
Drop into the office or give us a call to apply & check eligibility for any of our courses.
2025 is going to be another big year & SDIEA has some exciting plans, so don’t miss out! Follow us on Facebook & sign up for our newsletter to keep up to date.
Belowisalistingofconfirmedcoursesfor2025
CONSERVATION & ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT
Through this traineeship you will gain a Certificate l in Conservation & Ecosystem Management. This is a full-time paid traineeship that goes over 20 weeks. You will gain invaluable work experiences & connections in the industry, all with SDIEA’s support to ensure you succeed. .
Start date: 28th January 2025
INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT
By completing a Certificate lll in Individual Support through SDIEA you will gain the qualification & work experience to set yourself up for a rewarding career in support work, or aged & disability care.
This course is run at SDIEA with our support & we will help you find your work placement.
Start date: 4th March 2025
CHILDCARE
By completing a Certificate lll in Early Childhood Education & Care through SDIEA you will gain the qualification & work experience for an career in the child care industry.
This course is run at SDIEA with our support & we will help you find your work placement.
Start date: 6th June 2025
datessubjecttochange
Many Thanks
TO EVERYONE THAT SDIEA HAS WORKED WITH OVER THE LAST YEAR, INCLUDING:
