East Gippsland Food Cluster Traineeship Program

03 5152 1188

http://www.eastgippslandfoodcluster.com.au/

The EGFCI Board has approved the implementation of the cluster traineeship programme for at least a period of 3 years in order to optimise the learnings and outcomes. It forms part of a broader workforce capability strategy for the cluster.


Feedback from the trainees and the cluster employers has been outstanding. In addition to the frequent and positive press (both state-wide as well as local radio and newspaper), the programme has not only generated a lot of interest in the model, but has also supported very positive profiles of the cluster and its member businesses. The cluster and its partners (Gippsland East Local Learning and Employment Network, Link Employment and Advance TAFE) are current finalists in three of the East Gippsland 2012 Business Awards (Community, Innovation and Professional Services!) for this trainee programme.


Its benefits are summarised as-:


• Opportunity for trainees to experience a wide range of job and career opportunities across the entire paddock to plate spectrum for 10 months before locking themselves into a pathway
• Opportunity for the trainees to experience a variety of work places, with a rotation every 3 months
• Flexibility for the employers to take a trainee when best suits their business activity (i.e. during the floods and the aftermath trainees were diverted into processing businesses; etc)
• Well structured placements which have optimised the learning outcomes and the workplace experience
• Formal mentoring and coaching that has included personal goal setting, professional codes of conduct, personal leadership etc
• Dedicated (independent) 'go to' person who has immediately addressed any challenges faced by employers or trainees
• Regular feedback from employers and trainees on progress
• Peer support (the group became a very cohesive and supporting unit)
• Other additional activities to enhance the experience (i.e. visit to Patties corporate office by plane, visit to large multi-national food company in Melbourne, participation in Rural Women's ""Shine, Empower, Inspire" forum at Parliament House in Melbourne, participation in the East Gippsland Business Awards Young Achievers Forum, participating in local "Inspiring Young Women" and "Inspiring Young Men forums, working on Cluster Carbon Farming Project with a group of Melbourne Uni students, etc, etc
• Monthly formal training sessions at Advance TAFE (Cert III)
• Genuine collaboration across the cluster businesses to support transition of trainees into permanent roles to ensure mutually beneficial outcomes for businesses and trainees
• Career coaching around study and career development pathways for trainees.
• A general commitment by cluster businesses to make a contribution to the 'Gippsland Youth Commitment' initiative, and even should the trainees not transition to permanent employment with cluster businesses a satisfaction of having provided a very positive kick-start experience for local young people
• Development of a group of 'young ambassador' for the sector - general media, DVD, road-shows, etc
• Low cost initiative - only cost to the businesses is the hourly rate for trainees whilst they are actually engaged at the workplace