Businesses in the City of Casey have employed more than half of school-aged trainees and apprentices located in Melbourne’s outer South East suburbs who are participating in the State Government’s Head Start Program.
Conducted by the Victorian Department of Education, the program connects Victorian school-aged trainees and apprentices with local businesses to undertake paid training during their secondary education.
The program helps students build networks within the local business community and gets them on-the-job training to develop valuable skills and experience, while they are completing their VCE or VCAL.
City of Casey Chair of Administrators Noelene Duff PSM is pleased to see the program thriving and encourages businesses and interested students to get involved.
“The Head Start program has been so beneficial in not only supporting local businesses to grow, but also ensuring our young people have the opportunities that help prepare them for future employment.”
“It’s fantastic to hear such positive feedback from the program participants, and despite the challenging and complex space that has been created by COVID-19, many businesses have still been able to offer opportunities for local students,” said Ms Duff.
Family owned business Swan Plumbing Supplies, located in Narre Warren, engaged with the Head Start Program and has seen many positive outcomes.
“We love the enthusiasm and passion the Head Start trainees bring to their work here at Swan Plumbing Supplies. Their youth brings new ideas and perspectives, meaning both them and the workplaces they attend learn and are bettered by the initiative. It’s certainly been beneficial to us and a privilege for us to be part of,” said Swan Plumbing and Supplies Managing Director Guy Stewart.
Having been in operation for just over a year, the Head Start program is designed in consultation with industry and the Victorian Skills Commissioner, to ensure that training under Head Start is high-quality and in areas of industry demand.
