Monitor The
Your Community Newspaper ~ Roxby Downs
www.themonitor.com.au
Phone (08) 8671 2683
IN THIS
edition
Fax (08) 8671 2843
Tash
issues an important warning Page 3
Volume 7, Wednesday August 18, 2010
Local radio reaps State rewards Page 11
Who
are the favourites for Mail Medal? Page 19
PARTNERSHIP PLEDGE
Roxby Downs Area School Principal Kath Macalister and Desert Trade Training Centre Project Officer, Juliette Demaine pictured with BHP Billiton’s Amanda Hudson. Juliette is holding one of five large documents which formed the submission to the Government.
Desert Trade Training Centre – a new future for students of our Region
R
oxby Downs Area School, Woomera Area School and Marree Aboriginal School have submitted a $3.3 million dollar proposal to implement a Trade Training Centre in Schools program. Under the Federal Government program schools can apply to build or refurbish trade training facilities and purchase industry standard equipment and tools so that school students can commence qualifications and develop the skills required to enter a trade. The Desert Trade Training Centre (DESTTC), led by the Roxby Downs Area School, will provide high level nationally accredited training up to Certificate III. Training offered will include trade studies in engineering, electrotechnology, building and construction, civil construction and automotive repair. “The opportunity for students across this region to gain trade qualifications whilst completing school is very exciting” said Juliette Demaine, DESTTC
Project Leader and Eyre Futures Partnership Broker. The principal of RDAS, Kath Macalister, was passionate to have a proposal drawn up for RDAS, Woomera Area School and the Marree Aboriginal School. “This is a great initiative and will provide opportunities for our young people in partnership with TAFE SA, a range of business partners, and notably our major industry partner BHP Billiton Olympic Dam; This is truly community based education,” said Mrs Macalister. Industry involvement in Trade Training in schools is vital, and as such, Eyre Futures Partnership Broker, Juliette Demaine, developed a Partnership proposal which was submitted to the BHP Billiton Olympic Dam Community Development Support Program. The submission was well received by BHP Billiton and has resulted in a three year pledge to partner with DESTTC. Under the agreement, BHP Billiton would provide expertise, guidance and financial support should the DESTTC
proposal be approved by the Federal Government. Amanda Hudson, Principal Advisor - Public Affairs, BHP Billiton Olympic Dam, conveyed the great news to RDAS and said that “in recognition of the opportunities this project offers to develop, train and retrain the future tradespeople of this region BHP Billiton Olympic Dam is pleased to join as a major funding partner of DESTTC”. Mrs Macalister also stated , “The prospect of a BHP Billiton partnership with DESTTC is very exciting and it will certainly facilitate the sustainability and relevance of the Trade Training Centre to this region.” The three DESTTC schools worked hard to ensure industry involvement in developing the funding proposal. Local and regional industry were consulted with regard to skills shortages and how the increasing demands for trade qualified professionals could be addressed. Significant consultation with TAFESA, local business and industry bodies resulted in a development plan which will see refurbishment of technical trade ar-
eas at each of the schools, the purchase of industry standard equipment, tools and machinery and the creation of an e-learning classroom. Industry support for the DESTTC proposal has been outstanding with the Contractor Framework Implementation Team (CFIT) also dedicating vital support to the submission. CFIT have provided valuable funds and expertise to help develop the funding submission. Chris Clark, member of the CFIT Executive and Training Manager, Sandvik, Olympic Dam, indicated the strong support of CFIT for the Trade Training Centre proposal. “The local contract companies that comprise CFIT are strong supporters of DESTTC. A successful submission will have lasting benefits for this region, providing a skilled local workforce into the future. This will provide students with a constructive pathway to employment and will assist all employers at Olympic Dam. CFIT companies look forward to a close association with DESTTC.” The DESTTC trade training proposal was submitted to the Federal Depart-
ment of Employment, Education and Workplace Relations in June 2010. The outcome of the assessment process should be announced in October/November 2010. Juliette Demaine is remaining positive about the funding assessment – “We have worked very hard on the DESTTC proposal and believe that we have put forward strong facts and figures to support the need for trade training in our region and outlined the undeniable capacity for our students, employers and communities to benefit. We are very thankful for the support of CFIT and the BHP Billiton partnership - important elements that will contribute significantly to ensuring the sustainability and financial viability of the Desert Trade Training Centre”. Business persons or community members who are keen to find out more about DESTTC or who have an interest in supporting the project in a professional capacity are encouraged to contact Juliette Demaine, Partnership Broker – Far North, Eyre Futures Inc. Mobile: 0437 678 651.