DIRECTIONS YOUTH ‘RENOVATION RESCUE’ PROJECT WINS NATIONAL CRIME PREVENTION AWARD

The Caversham Training and Enterprise Centre (CTEC) managed by Directions, has won a National Award at the 2007 Australian Crime & Violence Prevention Awards (ACVPA).

The Award was presented to CTEC lecturer, Darral Phillips, and Site Supervisor Sharon Grainger by Federal Minister for Justice and Customs, Senator the Hon David Johnston, at an official ceremony at Parliament House, Canberra on the 23 October.

In its 15th year, the ACVPA, a joint initiative of federal, state and territory governments, aims to create safer communities by acknowledging and rewarding outstanding community-based projects that prevent or reduce crime and violence.

Operating out of the once-derelict Caversham primary school, the young, mostly Aboriginal, people are taught construction and trade skills to transform the abandoned facility into an Enterprise and Training Centre. Numeracy and literacy are also taught within the framework of the renovation.

‘This non-traditional approach, combined with mentoring and a focus on getting the job done, develops autonomy and a sense of self-worth in our participants and provides opportunities for employment and further education they would not have otherwise had’ explained Larry Davies, CEO of Directions.

Directions initiated the program in partnership with the WA Departments of Corrective Services and Indigenous Affairs in 2003. The land is owned by the Aboriginal Lands Trust and the project is also funded by Swan TAFE and the Midlands District Education Office.

The jobs and tasks undertaken on-site include constructing retaining walls, outdoor furniture and internal features, plastering, horticulture, IT studies, general education and art. Success in the program means
re-engagement in school, a job or an apprenticeship.

An independent study has shown that from January 2004–June 2006 over 50% of participants who completed the program had a reduced risk of re-offending and over 50% were placed in employment, further education or work experience programs.

‘Winning the award is a huge pat on the back for the whole team and reinforces that we are doing the right thing at CTEC’ Mr Phillips said. ‘The success of CTEC is increasingly recognised in the wider community.’

‘Our students do community work for other organisations and construction firms now come to us seeking our young participants for placement in jobs’

Staff members are keen to create new and ongoing partnerships in order to continue this important community project to the best of its potential.

A similar project in the main street of Northam has also been implemented by Directions under its Local Community Partnership. Fresh Learning for Youth (FLY) operates out of the former deli on Fitzgerald St and students involved in the project gain work skills particularly in the trades industries, as they continue to refurbish the internal rooms and develop greater competency in literacy and numeracy.

The program is led by Rebecca House from Directions and on the ground by two project staff, Kristy Miles and Ray Brockman, with assistance from staff at Northam Senior High School and C Y O’Connor TAFE.

These two valuable community projects assist those students who are disengaged from mainstream education and have limited options. These projects offer youth a positive future and the possibility of employment.
The adaptive reuse of the former Caversham School and deli in Northam is a dynamic example of how to preserve local history by turning a run-down site into a vibrant and valuable community resource.

In the words of one participant, ‘coming to CTEC will help me get on with my life … I can now see things I can do after this’.

Directions Virtual Enterprise took out top honors with
‘Best Booth Display’
at this years
WA State Trade Fair held at Central TAFE.

The Trade Fair was held on Friday 21st September, with over 30 Virtual Enterprises on display.

Once trading was declared open by John MacDonald, Chief Executive of Virtual Enterprise Australia, product enquiries were made, bookings were confirmed and cash vouchers traded.

Directions Northam Virtual Enterprise traded over $100,000 worth of products. The sales team offered holiday packages to customers including a Broome Getaway, Alaskan Adventure, Hawaiian Holiday, Australian Cruise, Queensland Adventure and Hot Air Ballooning.

The Directions Virtual Enterprise represented the only private RTO in WA to be coordinating such a training initiative.

The all female team had five weeks to prepare for the Trade Fair. This is the first Virtual Enterprise Directions has offered and the enthusiasm, positivity and dedication shown by the team, including facilitators Sarah Hardie and Holly Robert earned them customer’s praise.

A Virtual Enterprise is a simulated business that is set up and run by students.  Virtual Enterprises conduct business with other Virtual Enterprises in a simulated market economy on a local, national and international basis.

The products and services traded in this simulated global world are virtual; similarly the money and the financial regulatory institutions are fictitious. However, the business decisions, documentation and activity match up with real life business.

A virtual enterprise is a new and exciting way to gain a Certificate III in Business. Directions will offer the Virtual Enterprise again in 2008 in Midland and Northam for students wishing to gain a qualification in either Certificate II or III in Business.

WHEATBELT TRAINING AWARDS 2007

Local vocational students, trainees, apprentices and employers were recognised for their training and education efforts at the inaugural Wheatbelt Training Awards at Greenhills Inn, on Sunday 18th November.

The luncheon to celebrate apprenticeships, traineeships and vocational education in the region was opened by Hon. Kim Chance MLC and was also attended by Max Trenorden MLA and Mr Gary Snook MLA.

Brendan Simpson, WA Rural Ambassador and a local cabinet maker from Quairading made an impressive Master of Ceremonies and guests enjoyed entertainment from York locals Ali B, Flint the IceMan and Northam DJ Jo Laird. The forty two finalists, who travelled from across the region were also treated to a showcase of regional produce, prepared by Delictable Gourmet from Kauring.

Award Winners

Wheatbelt Apprentice of the Year
Lonny Ford – AgServe Goomalling
Highly Commended
Anthony Joss – Hutton and Northey, Merredin
Clark Reynolds – Baxters Rural Centre, Cunderdin
Commended
Jesse Topliss - AMMS, Southern Cross

Wheatbelt Employer of the Year
Blackwell Plumbing, Northam

Wheatbelt Trainee of the Year
Amanda Colli – Cunderdin Agricultural College
Highly Commended
Danielle Gogan – Wheatbelt GP Network, Northam
Stephen Dames – Westarp, Northam
Farahlie Ash – Westonia Shire

Wheatbelt School Based Trainee of the Year
Natalee Siddons – Main Roads, Northam
Highly Commended
Sandie Della Maddalena – Northam SHS

Wheatbelt Vocational Student of the Year
James Mitchell – Narrogin Agricultural College
Highly Commended
Kurt Wise – Narrogin Agricultural College

Wheatbelt Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
Cheyenne Dodd - Central Midlands SHS

Wheatbelt School and Business Partnership of the Year
Wyalkatchem DHS

The awards were coordinated by Directions and three volunteer students Simone Swift, Jessica Wade and Teagan du Boulay of the Water Corporation Northam. The three students put immense effort and time into the unique presentation and developed event management experience along the way.

The day also acknowledged students who had completed their
training in 2007. Congratulations to the following students who received their certificate of completion at the Awards:

Elizabeth Campman – Certificate III in Aged Care
Amanda Colli – Certificate II in Agriculture and Certificate II in
Workplace Training and Assessment
Stephen Dames – Certificate III in Textile Fabrication
Travis De Vries – Certificate II in Business
Teagan du Boulay – Certificate III in Business
David Johnson – Certificate III in Agriculture
Anthony Joss – Certificate III in Engineering,
Tradesperson, Automotive Heavy
Danielle Gogan - Certificate II in Business
Clark Reynolds – Certificate III in Engineering
Cameron Stocks - Certificate II in Agriculture
Jenna Waight – Certificate III in Business
Nolly Orchard - Certificate II in Aged Care

Shirley Nieuwpoort from Abbotts Forge, Grass Valley designed the unique trophies for the award winners. Each trophy captured the Wheatbelt spirit with corrugated tin, natural timber and wagon wheels.

The awards were an initiative of Directions, The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) Employfast, C Y O’Connor TAFE, the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Support Network (ATSN), Local Community Partnerships (LCP), Austral Risk Insurance Services and the Wheatbelt Development Commission. Photography courtesy of Micheal Marriott.

FOOTY TIPPING 2007

Congratulations to Cameron Parrett (Upper Great Southern Health Service) who won first prize in the Directions 2007 Footy Tipping Competition. Cameron was awarded a JNC MP3 Player (1GB) from Harvey Norman.

Places:

2nd
‘Hobbsy’ Brayden Hobbs
$200 Bunnings Voucher

3rd
‘Skitz’ Travis Condo
$100 Car service from John Hughes

4th
‘Kel’ Kelly McGruddy
Neat toolbox from Coventrys Northam and
$30 Jay Jay’s voucher

5th
‘Swartsy’ Kane Swarts
$25 voucher from Repco