South Coast Colleges are quietly going about bringing day to day changes in peoples lives in Eurobodalla, Bega and Shoalhaven shires. For many the idea of going back to tech or undertaking more complex and expensive training just isn't possible. Generally people just want to learn what they need to know and then get on with it. Fortunately the South Coast of NSW has dedicated trainers such as South Coast Colleges who are delivering the courses that would otherwise see our locals miss out or have to travel at considerable expense and time to study elsewhere.
One recent example of quiet achievements of new training was when the Milton Ulladulla Mens Shed men received their Tech Savvy Certificates along with their Food Handling Certificates. Both enable the Men's Shed to continue to evolve through computerised records, improved communications and learning the tools to make grant applications while another section of volunteers cook up a storm with their fundraising.
"We do a large number of charity BBQ's and cooking events "said Tim Jamison - President of the Shed "we now have our great certificates so people know we will wash our hands and practice safe cooking. We would like to say a big Thank You to Julie and South Coast Colleges for helping us out and we want to continue this great relationship with more training for the Shed members" Further south in Eurobodalla training is being provided for White Card and Traffic Control for the Wallaga Lake and Narooma guys working closely with Basil Smith from One Door Mental Health (formerly Schizophrenia fellowship) at Wallaga Lake. with the College assisting the lads in training to help them gain employment and to boost their self-esteem, gaining confidence to return to a work environment. More recently there has been training at Hope House in Batemans Bay with Certificate I in Information, Digital Media and Technology and last week the Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull was handing out South Coast Colleges certificates to Yumaro workers. Another milestone.
The courses offered along the coast are varied from the academic covering nursing and aged care to the employment specific supplementary skills such as RSA and hospitality. And then there are the fun and social where you can learn to tango, take great photos, speak Italian or learn a new computer skill. And it all happens very quietly without much fanfare as people learn and then move forward. While there is much discussion about TAFE and its funding these smaller colleges just press ahead. Well done to the trainers and colleges that fill the skilling gaps with great courses.
