REGIONAL EDUCATION, SKILLS AND JOBS
PLAN
VICTORIA – LODDON MALLEE
2012 – 2014
JULY 2013
This plan was first published in July 2012. This is the July 2013 edition.
Details in this report are correct at time of drafting.
This report can be found at the Regional Education, Skills and Jobs webpage (www.deewr.gov.au/resj) or the
My Region website (www.myregion.gov.au).
For more information about this plan, please contact:
The Office of Regional Education, Skills and Jobs
GPO Box 9880
Canberra ACT 2601
Email: oresj@deewr.gov.au
ISBN:
978-0-642-78683-8 [PDF]
978-0-642-78684-5 [DOCX]
With the exception of the Commonwealth Coat of Arms and where otherwise noted all material presented in this
document is provided under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia licence
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au/).
The details of the relevant licence conditions (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au/legalcode) are
available on the Creative Commons website (accessible using the links provided) as is the full legal code for the
CC BY 3.0 AU licence.
The document must be attributed as the Regional Education, Skills and Jobs Plan 2012-14 – Loddon Mallee.
Disclaimer about data used in this plan
Data used in the development of this plan comes from a variety of sources and was correct at time of drafting. This
document should not be used as a data source as data referred to may have been updated or reformulated since
the publication of the plan. Refer to primary sources for confirmation of data.
Regional Education, Skills and Jobs Plan – Loddon Mallee 2
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CONTENTS
Regional Education, Skills and Jobs Plans ................................................................................ 4
Strategies .................................................................................................................................................. 4
Community engagement........................................................................................................................... 4
Implementation ........................................................................................................................................ 4
Executive summary ................................................................................................................ 5
Characteristics of the region ................................................................................................... 8
Population ................................................................................................................................................. 8
Early childhood education and care .......................................................................................................... 9
School education ..................................................................................................................................... 10
Tertiary education and training .............................................................................................................. 11
Jobs, skills and workforce development ................................................................................................. 12
Other characteristics ............................................................................................................................... 15
Murray–Darling Basin Plan ................................................................................................................. 15
Transport ............................................................................................................................................ 15
National Broadband Network ............................................................................................................. 15
Issues, goals and strategies ................................................................................................... 16
Issue 1
Availability of suitable, accessible early childhood education and child care services. .......... 17
Issue 2 Improvement of education, training and employment outcomes for the Indigenous and
migrant population. ................................................................................................................................ 18
Issue 3
Pockets of complex disadvantage in the region. ..................................................................... 19
Issue 4 Increased participation in vocational and tertiary education, particularly in disadvantaged
communities............................................................................................................................................ 20
Issue 5
Improving levels of collaboration between industry and education providers. ..................... 21
Issue 6 Low levels of Year 12 attainment and transitions to further education, training or
employment for the region’s youth ........................................................................................................ 22
Issue 7 Difficulties in recruiting a trained and experienced workforce in the horticulture and
agriculture industries. ............................................................................................................................. 23
Issue 8
The need to consider future workforce planning needs for the region. ................................. 24
Issue 9
High numbers of teenage parents who are unemployed or in low paid positions. ................ 25
Issue 10
Communities adjusting to the economic and community effects of drought; current
economic conditions and the Murray–Darling Basin Plan. .................................................................... 26
Appendices .......................................................................................................................... 27
Appendix A — Stakeholders .................................................................................................................... 27
Appendix B — Existing related plans and strategies ............................................................................... 28
Abbreviations ....................................................................................................................... 30
REGIONAL EDUCATION, SKILLS AND JOBS PLANS
The Australian Government announced the Regional Education, Skills and Jobs Plans initiative in the
2011–12 Budget, as part of the Building Australia’s Future Workforce package. The initiative addresses
four key areas of the Australian Government’s productivity and social inclusion agendas: early childhood
education and care; Year 12 attainment; participation in vocational and higher education; and local job
opportunities.
The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) has deployed 34 Regional
Education, Skills and Jobs (RESJ) Coordinators to work with local stakeholders to develop Regional
Education, Skills and Jobs Plans for the 46 Regional Development Australia (RDA) areas that cover nonmetropolitan Australia.
The plans present locally identified opportunities and challenges and outline local strategies to improve
education, skills and jobs outcomes in regional Australia.
For more information, including the contact details of your local RESJ Coordinator, please refer to the
Regional Education, Skills and Jobs webpage at www.deewr.gov.au/resj.
Strategies
Each plan reflects community priorities and includes goals and local strategies to achieve the
community’s objectives, based on four key themes: early childhood education and care; school
education; tertiary education and training; and jobs, skills and workforce development.
The plans build on the range of services and programs already offered by DEEWR and the strategies draw
on the programs of other government agencies and the opportunities arising from major local projects.
Community engagement
The plans were developed by RESJ Coordinators with close community engagement and include views
from young people, parents, employers, educators, service providers, peak bodies, community leaders,
government organisations and agencies, and other interested individuals and organisations. The plans
draw strongly upon existing strategic plans in each region, including the local RDA regional plan.
DEEWR acknowledges the traditional owners of the Loddon Mallee RDA region and their elders past and
present recognising their continuing connection to country. This plan strives to build and harness
mutually respectful relationships and reflect community priorities in education, skills and jobs
development for the region.
Implementation
The RESJ Coordinator, on behalf of DEEWR, will oversee the implementation of the strategies and
promote and coordinate linkages between the government agencies, providers and stakeholders
involved in this plan’s implementation.
Progress towards achieving the goals within each plan will be closely monitored, while stakeholders will
be kept informed through participation in plan strategies.
This edition incorporates strategies that respond to changes in local circumstances identified through
continuing community input or changing government priorities in regional Australia as well as access to
new data. The plans continue to be living and responsive documents that will be revisited throughout
their implementation to June 2014.
Regional Education, Skills and Jobs Plan – Loddon Mallee 4
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Loddon Mallee region is situated in the north-west of Victoria, sharing state borders with South
Australia and New South Wales. It is an expansive and diverse region, occupying more than a quarter of
Victoria. The region encompasses 10 Local Government Areas (LGAs): Buloke; Campaspe; Central
Goldfields; Greater Bendigo; Gannawarra; Loddon; Macedon Ranges; Mildura; Mount Alexander and
Swan Hill. Approximately 33 per cent of the region’s 300,000-plus population based in the Greater
Bendigo LGA.
Over the next two decades, there is expected to be population growth in Loddon Mallee, particularly in
the southern part of the region, with Bendigo projected to grow at 1.5 per cent per annum. In the north
of the region, population growth is expected to be moderate and be centred in and around Mildura.
With one of the most consistently warm climates within the state, the region’s economy is based on
tourism, agriculture, horticulture and its value chain. In addition, manufacturing plays an integral part in
the economy, particularly in Bendigo and its surrounds.
The region is actively addressing issues relating to efficient water usage and renewable energy, and is
working to embrace the opportunities provided by the rollout of the National Broadband Network (NBN).
A comprehensive environmental scan and community consultation have been carried out to identify the
key education, skills and jobs challenges for the region. These challenges include:
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the availability of suitable, accessible early childhood education and care services
improvement of education, training and employment outcomes for the Indigenous and
migrant population
increased participation in vocational and tertiary education, particularly in disadvantaged
communities
improving levels of collaboration between industry and education providers
low levels of Year 12 attainment and transitions to further education, training or
employment for the region’s youth
pockets of complex disadvantage in the region
high numbers of teenage parents who are unemployed or in low paid positions
difficulties in recruiting a trained and experienced workforce in the horticulture and
agriculture industries
the need to consider future workforce planning needs for the region
communities adjusting to the economic and community effects of drought; current
economic conditions; and the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
Regional Education, Skills and Jobs Plan – Loddon Mallee 5
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The key goals of the RESJ Plan are to:
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improve access to early childhood education and care services and programs
assist early childhood education and care providers to meet the National Quality Framework
workforce requirements
increase the retention of Indigenous and migrant students in education
strengthen pathways from schools to employment and tertiary education
increase participation in vocational and tertiary education to grow the region’s skilled
workforce
facilitate collaboration and partnerships between industry and education providers to meet
the skills needs of the community
improve Year 12 (or equivalent) attainment and improve transition rates to further
education, training or employment
achieve better economic outcomes for disadvantaged communities
improve education and training outcomes for teenage parents
improve access to a skilled and trained workforce for the horticultural and agricultural
industries
address skill shortage issues through the promotion and implementation of workforce
development strategies
support communities to adjust to changes in economic and environmental conditions,
particularly the horticultural and agricultural sector.
The Loddon Mallee has an RDA Committee with a broad plan that includes opportunities for education,
skills and employment. Parts of the Loddon Mallee also lie within the Ballarat-Bendigo (Central Victoria)
and North Eastern Victoria priority employment areas, each of which has a Local Employment
Coordinator in place. The Loddon Mallee RESJ Plan complements the existing goals and strategies in the
RDA Plan and the Local Employment Coordinators’ Regional Employment Plans.
Some outcomes achieved by the RESJ Coordinator working with local stakeholders include:

Developed the Food and Beverages Skills Passport by bringing together industry partners,
employers and training organisations to train people in core skills that are transferable across
food manufacturing industries located in the north west of Victoria. Key elements of the project
included the development of consistent training material endorsed by local industry and a
website that maintains a database of passports issued. As of January 2013, 72 participants had
undertaken the training, and reports indicate that around 55 of those have either found jobs in
the industry or retained employment in positions requiring upgraded skills.
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Developed the ‘Horticulture with a Difference’ pilot program delivered in Robinvale by Sunraysia
Institute of TAFE from mid-August to early November 2012. This project, which has resulted in
employment outcomes for five of the 14 disadvantaged job seekers engaged, had an innovative
course structure that included a Certificate II in Horticulture and units of competency in
Automotive studies to creatively link skills that are useful in the agriculture sector. The project
was a result of collaboration of local service providers brought together by the RESJ Coordinator
and the Victorian Advancing Country Towns project officer.
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Facilitated two Early Childhood Education and Care Industry Roundtables in 2012. One in
Bendigo and the other in Echuca/Moama, with 54 and 32 stakeholders attending respectively
representing unions, early childhood education and care service providers, employment
agencies, registered training organisations, tertiary institutions and all levels of government. The
aims of the forums were to identify workforce development issues for the sector and to develop
regional strategies to address those issues. The RESJ Coordinator is supporting the
implementation of the strategies identified.
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Hosted a forum in June 2012 to develop awareness of literacy and numeracy challenges within
the Loddon Mallee region. The forum was attended by 29 stakeholders, predominantly from
training organisations, and focused on understanding the regional challenges and contextualising
language, literacy and numeracy training within a vocational context. As a result of the forum a
group of interested registered training organisations led by the RESJ Coordinator is exploring
relevant training for trainers, as well as raising the profile of language, literacy and numeracy
assessment.
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Worked with a not-for-profit organisation that advocates for young mothers to remain or reengage in education to enable four teenage mothers to access Family Day Care In Venue Care
which has allowed them to undertake non-accredited training. All four participants are planning
to return to secondary school in Semester 2 2013.
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Worked with the Mildura Aboriginal Corporation, Loddon Mallee Preschool Association and
Swan Hill Rural City Council to enable a local preschool at-risk of closing to remain open. This
group negotiated a rent-free lease for the preschool that obliges the preschool to employ an
Indigenous school-based apprentice undertaking a Certificate III in Children’s Services. This
preschool provides early childhood education and care to around 75 children aged 3-4 years and
employs five staff members.
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Formed the organising committee that conducted a “Belonging, Being, Becoming” workshop in
2012 focussed on improving Indigenous early childhood outcomes. Approximately 60 people
attended the forum from early years services and the Indigenous community. The workshop was
successful with services reporting improved knowledge of culture and the community identifying
parent capacity building as critical. From this workshop, the organising committee submitted an
expression of interest for a Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters to be
delivered in Mildura.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE REGION
This section sets out the characteristics of the region identified through a comprehensive environmental
scan and local consultations. The information detailed in this section is not exhaustive of the
characteristics of the region, but provides an overview and insight to some of the challenges facing the
region.
To guide the RESJ Coordinator’s identification of issues and engagement with the community, various
data sets have supported the development of this plan. Data used in the development of this plan was
sourced from DEEWR, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and other relevant sources. Data referred
to may have been reformulated and was correct at time of drafting. Different data sets are refreshed at
different intervals, for example, unemployment rates are updated monthly for national and
state/territory figures and quarterly for regions.
Population
According to the 2011 Census, the estimated residential population of the Loddon Mallee region in 2011
was 308,782, an increase of 15,128 since 2001. This was modest growth of 5.0 per cent compared to
Victoria as a whole (14.2%).
The City of Greater Bendigo, based in the south of the region, is the largest LGA with approximately onethird of the population, followed by Mildura Rural City in the north, with nearly one-fifth of the
population. Other major towns include Castlemaine, Echuca, Gisborne, Kyneton, Maryborough,
Robinvale and Swan Hill.
In the north of the region, population growth over the next two years is expected to be moderate,
mainly in and around Mildura. The diversity of the region is further emphasised by the fact that between
2010 and 2011 six of the Loddon Mallee LGAs ranked in the 15 slowest-growing Victorian LGAs while
Bendigo, Macedon Ranges and Mildura were all in the top 50 per cent of growth rates for Victorian LGAs,
including metropolitan LGAs.
In March 2011, the Victorian Department of Planning and Community Development published figures on
change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee region. The report also notes that the composition of the
population is changing in the region. In particular, there is an ageing population as farmers get older,
young people migrate to cities in search of better economic prospects and older people retire to regional
Victoria from metropolitan Melbourne. ABS data identifies the distribution of residents in the region is
highly concentrated in two main age cohorts: 0 to 19 year olds and 35 to 64 year olds.
Loddon Mallee community profiles published by the Victorian Department of Education and Early
Childhood Development (DEECD) highlight that the RDA Loddon Mallee region has the highest
proportion of adolescents in Victoria. Some 11.7 per cent of Loddon Mallee’s population are adolescents
(10–17 years of age), compared to the Victorian average of 10.1 per cent. This includes a significantly
high number of teenage mothers, with the region having nearly twice as many teenage pregnancies as
the rest of Victoria. This is particularly the case for Aboriginal women in the region, who had a teenage
birth rate nearly six times that of non-Aboriginal women over the three-year period from 2004–05 to
2006–07.
Regional Education, Skills and Jobs Plan – Loddon Mallee 8
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This has been identified as a factor contributing to lower participation and attainment rates in education,
skills development and employment for this cohort.
While the 2011 Census identified that only 14 per cent of the Loddon Mallee population was born
overseas compared to Victoria (32%) and Australia (31%) it is accepted that Loddon Mallee has a diverse
population, with over 52 different cultural backgrounds. Of note are populations of refugees resettling in
regional communities such as Bendigo, Swan Hill and Mildura from Afghanistan, Burundi, Iraq and Sudan.
An analysis of regional settlement conducted by AMES, an organisation providing settlement services for
refugees and migrants, in 2011 identified that the refugee population is supported with well-established
infrastructure for resettlement programs, with key strengths in health care services, affordable housing,
and primary and secondary education. However, there are ongoing challenges with securing
employment, English language development in a vocational context, knowledge and understanding of
the Australian labour market and access to child care.
Across the Loddon Mallee region there are 77 towns that score less than the regional Victorian average
on the Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage, highlighting that these towns are experiencing
levels of complex disadvantage. The State Government has selected two of these towns to pilot a placebased approach to address disadvantage through its Advancing Country Towns initiative. The two towns
are Robinvale and a collection of small communities referred to as Mallee Track towns (Ouyen, Walpeup,
Underbool, Cowangie and Murrayville).
According to the ABS, in 2011 15.3 per cent of the Victorian Aboriginal community lived in Loddon
Mallee, accounting for approximately 1.9 per cent of the total Loddon Mallee population. Between the
2001 Census and the 2011 Census, the Loddon Mallee Aboriginal population experienced relatively high
growth (34.5%), with key populations in Mildura, Robinvale, Swan Hill, Kerang, Echuca and Greater
Bendigo.
Early childhood education and care
According to ABS data, it was estimated that 13 per cent of the Loddon Mallee resident population in
2010 were aged 0-9 years. The Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
(DEECD) has advised that across Loddon Mallee there are 33 licensed child care centres, 89 funded
preschools and 21 centres that operate as both a child care and preschool program. Eight family day care
licences have been issued; family day care in the region is mainly delivered by local government
providers.
Community consultation has revealed that a number of towns and communities within the region have
limited or no early childhood education and care services available. Some preschools are at capacity,
many with long waiting lists.
The Australian Government has committed to early childhood education and care being delivered by a
university-qualified early childhood teacher, in accordance with a national early years learning
framework, for 15 hours a week, 40 weeks a year. Many early childhood education and care services
within the Loddon Mallee region are experiencing difficulty in attracting and retaining qualified staff,
particularly in smaller rural communities. With the new requirements for early childhood education
providers in relation to staff qualifications, educator-to-child ratios and the implementation of the new
program, many early childhood education and care providers in the region are assessing how they will
meet the requirements of the National Quality Framework. There is an opportunity to strengthen the
sector’s network across the region to support them with the implementation of the reforms.
The Australian Early Development Index (AEDI) measures young children’s development across five
domains: physical health and well-being; social competence; emotional maturity; school-based language
and cognitive skills; and general knowledge. 2009 AEDI data indicated at a national level, 23.6 per cent of
children were vulnerable on one or more domains and 11.8 per cent were vulnerable on two or more
domains. The AEDI found in the RDA Loddon Mallee region, the communities of Campaspe, Macedon
Ranges and Mount Alexander had the lowest proportions of vulnerable children for the region, less than
the national rates on both measures. However, the AEDI community of Central Goldfields had the
highest proportions of vulnerable children—more than the national averages on both measures.
The Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters (HIPPY) operates in Long Gully/California
Gully and Robinvale. HIPPY supports parents and children in the year before formal education with
pre-literacy and pre-numeracy skills. Further support into the first year of formal schooling extends this
support to focus on children’s learning and development.
School education
There are over 200 schools in Loddon Mallee, in the government, independent and Catholic sectors.
Primary schools account for approximately 75 per cent of the total number of schools. There are
158 government schools, servicing an estimated 38,324 students.
The 2011 Census highlights the challenge in Loddon Mallee to increase educational attainment with
36.2 per cent of the total Loddon Mallee population holding a Year 12 or equivalent compared to
51.7 per cent for Victoria and 49.2 for Australia. . Such results may impact on the aspirations of students
to achieve Year 12 or its equivalent.
In line with the National Partnership Agreement on Youth Attainment and Transitions, which was
established to achieve a national Year 12 or equivalent attainment rate of 90 per cent by 2015, the
Victorian Government has established Youth Partnerships trial sites to test new approaches to delivering
services to young people experiencing problems. The aim is to achieve better educational outcomes. The
LGAs in the Loddon Mallee RDA region have been included across a number of the selected
demonstration sites to pilot the Youth Partnerships program. A cross-sectoral committee has been
established to guide the project.
The Council of Australian Governments has committed to closing the education gap for the Indigenous
community. Strategies to achieve this within Loddon Mallee are led through the State Government’s
Wannik initiative, supported by the Commonwealth through targeted programs such as the Sporting
Chance academies. Sporting Chance academies have been developed in four schools across the Loddon
Mallee region, in partnership with the Clontarf Foundation. The academies focus on improving school
retention rates for male Aboriginal adolescents, using Australian Rules as an engagement tool.
Consultations with schools and the community indicate the program is successful and highlighted a need
to support female Aboriginal adolescents as well.
Trade training is an important element of the Australian Government’s workforce development agenda.
The government aims to address national skills shortages in traditional trades and emerging industries by
improving the relevance and responsiveness of trade training programs in secondary schools. Five
Trade Training Centres in School applications, covering 21 campuses, have been approved across the
Loddon Mallee region school systems. Three of these are operational in Bendigo, Birchip and Swan Hill;
initiatives in Mildura and Charlton are both in the development stage.
Tertiary education and training
Following the Review of Australian Higher Education in 2009, the Australian Government announced
structural reforms for the tertiary education sector. It set two targets for increased participation and
greater equity in higher education:
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By 2025, 40 per cent of all 25 to 34 year olds will have a qualification at bachelor level or higher.
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By 2020, 20 per cent of higher education enrolments at undergraduate level will be people from
low socio-economic status backgrounds.
The 2011 Census showed in the Loddon Mallee region 29.4 per cent of people 15 years and over held a
post-school qualification compared to Victoria (34.6%) and Australia (34.3%). The educational attainment
discrepancy is further highlighted with 17.9 per cent of the Loddon Mallee population holding a bachelor
degree compared to Victoria (26.3%) and Australia (24.1%), although the results in Bendigo, Macedon
Ranges and Mount Alexander were in line with the state average. The DEEWR Labour Market
Information Portal November 2012 Employment further highlights this discrepancy with 15.3 per cent of
the Loddon Mallee population employed as labourers compared to 10.1 for Victoria and 18.1 per cent
employed as professionals compared to Victoria, 23.1 per cent.
There are several higher education facilities in the region. La Trobe University has a major campus in
Bendigo and a satellite campus in Mildura. Monash University has School of Rural Health campuses in
Bendigo and Mildura. Deakin University operates a classroom at the Sunraysia Institute of TAFE Swan Hill
campus, using information and communication technology to link to Deakin lectures. Bendigo Regional
Institute of TAFE and Sunraysia Institute of TAFE both offer diploma courses with pathways to university.
For communities who do not have a university campus within commuting distance, obtaining an
undergraduate qualification predominantly means relocation. DEECD tracking data indicate that school
completers from rural and provincial regions of Victoria are more likely to defer a university place than
school completers from Melbourne. Feedback from the Local Learning and Employment Networks
suggests that school completers from non-metropolitan schools may defer because they seek
employment hoping to achieve the income threshold required to secure Youth Allowance for when they
commence university. In 2009, 21.6 per cent of Victorian non-metropolitan students deferred compared
to 8.7 per cent of Melbourne metropolitan students.
Through the Structural Adjustment Fund, the Australian Government has awarded the University of
Ballarat, in conjunction with six regional TAFE institutes, a major grant of nearly $25 million. This will give
people living in regional areas a greater opportunity to obtain degree qualifications. Bendigo Regional
Institute of TAFE and Sunraysia Institute of TAFE are two of the six regional institutes.
Jobs, skills and workforce development
In December 2012 there were 181,000 people of working age (15 to 64) in the Loddon Mallee region.
Since February 2012 the level of employment, the unemployment rate and the participation rates for the
region have fallen behind those of Victoria and Australia. Significantly, the participation of those aged
15 years and above has dropped by 6.4 per cent. In addition, the DEEWR Labour Market Information
Portal December 2012 indicates the full-time unemployment rate for teenagers (15 to 19 years) is slightly
higher than the average for either Victoria generally or Australia as a whole. Moreover, the proportion of
youth unemployment in the region is also higher. Table 1 provides further detail.
Table 1: Estimated workforce participation characteristics of the Loddon Mallee region
Area Profile
Loddon Mallee
Victoria
Australia
181,000
3,864,900
15,433,000
Employment rate of (15 to 64) (%)
68.6
72.3
72.5
Unemployment rate of people aged 15+ (%)
5.6
5.6
5.4
Participation rate of people aged 15+ (%)
58.9
65.2
65.1
21.7
27.8
24.5
3.4
4
4.3
No. of people of working age (15 to 64)
Teenage Full-Time Unemployment rate
(15 to 19 years old) (%)
Teenage Full-Time Unemployment to Population
Ratio (15 to 19) (%)
Source: December 2012 DEEWR Labour Market Information Portal
In November 2012 close to 139,000 people were employed across the Loddon Mallee region, with
six industries accounting for nearly 60 per cent of the workforce. Employment within agriculture, forestry
and fishing has continued to grow within the region and is now the second largest sector for
employment, behind health care and social assistance. Other major sectors include retail, which is a
prominent employer in the major regional centres of Bendigo, Swan Hill and Mildura; followed by
manufacturing; education and training; and construction. Table 2 provides further detail.
Table 2: Employment in the Loddon Mallee region, by industry
Industry
No of persons employed
Health care and social assistance
16,700
Agriculture, forestry and fishing
16,200
Retail trade
15,200
Manufacturing
12,700
Education and training
11,300
Construction
Source: November 2012 DEEWR Labour Market Information Portal
9600
In 2009 25,325 businesses were based in Loddon Mallee. Most were in the agriculture (6750 businesses)
and construction (3876 businesses) industries. Figure 1 shows the proportions of businesses in the
region.
Figure 1: Businesses in the Loddon Mallee region, by industry, 2009
27%
25.1%
4.7%
5.9%
15.5%
6.8%
7.3% 7.5%
Agriculture
Construction
Retail Trade
Rental & Real Estate
Professional
Transport
Finance
Others
Source: ABS Counts of Australian Businesses June 2007 – June 2011
Employment in agriculture, forestry and fishing is notably high in Loddon Mallee (8.8% compared to 2.7%
for Victoria as a whole). This is particularly the case for the northern Loddon Mallee. The Mildura region
accounts for approximately 20 per cent of Australia’s total wine grape crush, 20 per cent of citrus
production and almost 100 per cent of Australia’s dried vine fruit production. In 2010–11, the Mildura
Development Corporation conducted a project to identify major challenges for these industries.
Addressing a shortage of skills and labour for the food manufacturing industries was identified as a major
challenge. The project recommended the introduction of a ‘skills passport’ that would develop
transferrable skills to assist employees to move between employers and industries. This was developed
with the website launched in June 2012. As of January 2013, 72 participants had undertaken the training
offered as part of the passport.
In 2006 the Australian Bureau of Statistics completed its Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey. Results of
the survey indicated that approximately 53 per cent of working age Australians had difficulty with
numeracy skills and 46 per cent of Australian adults had difficulty with reading skills. Thirteen per cent of
Australian adults were classified in the lowest literacy category. As outlined under School Education, a
significant proportion of the Loddon Mallee population have not attained Year 12 or its equivalent, which
is likely to have an impact on the region’s population to meet vocational literacy and numeracy
requirements. The industry skills councils have identified this as a critical issue for productivity in the
workplace. The national and regional data indicate an opportunity to support and up-skill the region’s
workforce.
Discussions around workforce development have been carried out with RDA Loddon Mallee, Regional
Development Victoria, LGAs, industry representative groups and the State Government Loddon Mallee
market facilitator. There is recognition that workforce development, including identifying skill and labour
needs and the development of strategies, has been disjointed across Loddon Mallee. The development
of a strategic workforce plan for the region has been identified as being crucial for the continued
economic growth of the region. Regional (LGA) economic development strategies are being developed
and implemented across the region. Table 3 shows some areas of skill shortages.
Table 3: Skill shortages in the Loddon Mallee region
Skill shortage occupations in the Loddon Mallee region
Accountants
Metal machinists
Automotive electricians
Motor mechanics
Building and engineering professionals
Nursery people
Butchers
Plumbers
Cabinet-makers
Printing machinists
Civil engineers
Registered nurses
Community workers
School teachers
General electricians
Structural constructions tradespeople
General medical practitioners
Structural steel and welding tradespeople
Health professionals
Welfare workers
Metal fitters and turners
Source: 2011 Change and disadvantage in the Loddon Mallee Region
Other characteristics
Murray–Darling Basin Plan
The Loddon Mallee region covers both the Mallee Catchment and the North Central Catchment areas.
Collectively the regions cover one third of the geographic area of Victoria and runs along the Murray
River from Echuca to the South Australian border. The regions include areas of high-value irrigated
horticulture, dryland cropping areas, National Parks and significant regional urban areas.
On 22 November 2012, the Australian Government delivered the final Murray-Darling Basin Plan that will
restore rivers to health, support regional communities and sustainable food production. The
Government has also committed to provide an additional $1.77 billion to relax key operating constraints
and recover an additional 450GL of environmental water to look to achieve the environmental outcomes
described in the 3200GL modelling and do so through projects to ensure there is no social and economic
downside for communities.
$5.2 billion will be spent on irrigation infrastructure that will contribute to increased irrigation
productivity and provide employment benefits during design and construction phases.
Transport
Transport is a critical factor in providing communities with access to education, training and
employment. The City of Greater Bendigo, Mildura, Swan Hill and Echuca have public transport bus
systems, and all major towns in the region are serviced by a V-Line connection to Melbourne. However,
many small towns and settlements have no access to any form of public transport.
National Broadband Network
At the time of developing the RESJ Plan, Loddon Mallee had one identified area for the National
Broadband Network (NBN) roll out to commence within 3 years (March to December 2014), being the
immediate Bendigo area. In addition, work has commenced on making a new estate at Ascot Landing,
near Epsom, NBN ready. However, the community has identified access to the NBN as a priority across
the region and the need for broader access features in the Loddon Mallee RDA plan.
ISSUES, GOALS AND STRATEGIES
This section sets out the issues and goals identified through local consultation. It also details the specific
strategies that will help achieve the community’s objectives. The issues and strategies will be reviewed
and may be modified throughout the implementation of the plan to June 2014 to ensure they respond to
emerging issues and opportunities or changing community or government priorities in the
Loddon Mallee RDA region.
The programs and stakeholders listed in the following tables are indicative only. Both may vary over time
and any listing does not guarantee either the availability of program funding or stakeholder involvement.
The four key themes of the Regional Education, Skills and Jobs Plans initiative are:

Early childhood education and care

School education

Tertiary education and training

Jobs, skills and workforce development
The numbering of each issue is for ease of reference only and does not indicate its priority within the
region. They are generally sequenced according to the life cycle of the four key themes listed above.
Regional Education, Skills and Jobs Plan – Loddon Mallee 16
www.deewr.gov.au/resj
Issue 1
Availability of suitable, accessible early childhood education
and child care services.
Goals:
Improved access to early childhood education and care services and programs.
Assist early childhood education and care providers to meet the National Quality
Framework workforce requirements.
Theme(s):
Early childhood education and care; School education; Tertiary education and
training; Jobs, skills and workforce development.
Strategies
Stakeholders
Programs







Help to improve early childhood outcomes by
promoting the Early Childhood Education and Care
(ECEC) National Quality Framework.
Work with ECEC providers to assist the existing
workforce to meet new industry standards through
Workplace English Language and Literacy (WELL)
and the National Workforce Development Fund
(NWDF).
Support and develop projects that increase the
ECEC workforce pool within Loddon Mallee.
Promote increased participation in early education
for Indigenous children and an Indigenous
workforce. Encourage Indigenous students to
undertake School-based Apprenticeships and
Traineeships or Vocational Education and Training
(VET) in Schools placements.
Facilitate collaboration between key stakeholders
to provide professional development for
kindergartens and child care centres to help them
deliver culturally appropriate programs.










Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander
community
Department of
Education and Early
Childhood
Development (Vic)
Disability Employment
Service (DES)
providers
Early childhood sector
Indigenous
Employment Program
(IEP) panel providers
Industry Skills
Councils
Job Services Australia
(JSA) providers
Local Employment
Coordinators
Local Governments
Local Learning and
Employment
Networks
Registered training
organisations








Communities for
Children
DES
IEP
Inclusion and
Professional Support
Program
Indigenous Youth
Career Pathways
JSA
NWDF
Supplementary
Recurrent Assistance
WELL
Regional Education, Skills and Jobs Plan – Loddon Mallee 17
www.deewr.gov.au/resj
Issue 2
Improvement of education, training and employment outcomes
for the Indigenous and migrant population.
Goals:
Increase the retention of Indigenous and migrant students in education.
Strengthen pathways from schools to employment and tertiary education.
Theme(s):
Early childhood education and care; School education; Tertiary education and
training; Jobs, skills and workforce development.
Strategies
Stakeholders
Programs






Work with key stakeholders to encourage increased
numbers of Indigenous health and child care
workers through School-based Apprenticeships.
o An increased Indigenous child care workforce
will encourage increased participation of
Indigenous children in early education services.
Work with all levels of government to promote
Indigenous programs and support the development
of relevant Indigenous projects.
Support collaboration between stakeholders to
improve the rate of Indigenous students
transitioning to tertiary education and
employment.
Promote and support the implementation of the
Home Interaction Program for Parents and
Youngsters (HIPPY) programs at Gully/California
Gully and Robinvale in Loddon Mallee.

















Department of
Business and Industry
(Vic)
Department of
Education and Early
Childhood
Development (Vic)
Department of
Planning and
Community
Development (Vic)
Early childhood
education and care
centres
Indigenous
Employment Program
(IEP) panel providers
Indigenous
Transitions
Coordinator
Kindergartens
Local Aboriginal
Education
Consultative Groups
Local Area
Coordinator
Local Government
Councils
Local Indigenous
networks
Local Learning and
Employment
Networks
RDA Loddon Mallee
Registered training
organisations
Schools
TAFEs
Universities
Workplace Learning
Coordinators









Australian
Apprenticeships
Mentoring Program
Australian
Apprenticeships
Program
HIPPY
IEP
Indigenous Youth
Career Pathways
Parental and
Community
Engagement Program
Sporting Chance
Program
Supplementary
Recurrent Assistance
(Preschool)
Workplace English
Language and Literacy
Youth Attainment and
Transitions
Issue 3
Pockets of complex disadvantage in the region.
Goal:
To achieve better economic outcomes for disadvantaged communities.
Theme(s):
Early childhood education and care; School education; Tertiary education and
training; Jobs, skills and workforce development.
Strategies
Stakeholders
Programs



Represent DEEWR on Advancing Country Towns
steering committees in Loddon Mallee, Robinvale
and Mallee Track, to work towards improved
community outcomes through place-based
strategies.
o early Years;
o Year 12 and equivalent attainment;
o mentoring;
o skills development;
o employment; and
o service provider collaboration.







Department of
Education and Early
Childhood
Development (Vic)
Department of
Planning and
Community
Development (Vic)
Disability Employment
Services (DES)
providers
District Health
Services
Indigenous
Employment Program
(IEP) panel members
Job Services Australia
(JSA) providers
Local Employment
Coordinators
TAFE








Australian
Apprenticeship Access
Program
Australian
Apprenticeships
DES
Home Interaction
Program for Parents
and Youngsters
IEP
JSA
Parental and
Community
Engagement Program
Supplementary
Recurrent Assistance
Workplace English
Language and Literacy
Issue 4
Increased participation in vocational and tertiary education,
particularly in disadvantaged communities.
Goal:
Increase participation in vocational and tertiary education to grow the region’s
skilled workforce.
Theme(s):
School education; Tertiary education and training; Jobs, skills and workforce
development.
Strategies
Stakeholders
Programs




Support and develop projects that improve
Indigenous tertiary student outcomes, including the
promotion of the Indigenous Cadetship Program.
Support tertiary institutions in implementing
strategies to meet Commonwealth participation
targets:
o by 2025, 40 per cent of all 25 to 34 year olds
will have a qualification at bachelor level or
higher
o by 2020, 20 per cent of higher education
enrolments at undergraduate level will be
people from low socio-economic status
backgrounds.
o Includes supporting the La Trobe
University Tertiary Enabling Program
that provides students with specific
academic skills and confidence to help
them successfully complete university
or TAFE study and equips students to
make decisions about future learning
and develop pathways to continuing
education.




Industry Skills
Councils
Local Learning and
Employment
Networks
Registered training
organisations
TAFEs
Universities



Higher Education
Disability Support
Program
Higher Education
Participation and
Partnerships
Structural Adjustment
Fund
Tertiary Enabling
Program (La Trobe
University)
Issue 5
Improving levels of collaboration between industry and
education providers.
Goal:
Facilitate collaboration and partnerships between industry and education
providers to meet the skills needs of the community.
Theme(s):
School education; Tertiary education and training; Jobs, skills and workforce
development.
Strategies
Stakeholders
Programs






Facilitate linkages between education providers and
industry by:
o facilitating industry tours for education and
training providers during 2013
o promoting regional pathways for students
including School-based Apprenticeships and
pre-apprenticeships.
Encourage increased levels of participation in and
completion of vocational education and training in
schools particularly in the schools with Trade
Training Centres or seeking to develop Trade
Training Centres.
Facilitate collaboration between schools with Trade
Training Centres and industry by providing
information and encouraging connections.
Support and develop projects that improve
Australian School-based Apprenticeship outcomes.










Australian Industry
Group
Bendigo
Manufacturing Group
Department of
Education and Early
Childhood
Development (Vic)
Local Employment
Coordinators
Local Government
Councils
Local Learning and
Employment
Networks
Regional
Development
Australia
Registered training
organisations
Schools
TAFEs
Universities



Australian
Apprenticeships
School-based
Apprenticeships
Trade Training
Centres in Schools
Youth Attainment and
Transitions
Issue 6
Low levels of Year 12 attainment and transitions to further
education, training or employment for the region’s youth
Goal:
Improve Year 12 (or equivalent) attainment and improve transition rates to
further education, training or employment.
Theme(s):
School education; Tertiary education and training; Jobs, skills and workforce
development.
Strategies
Stakeholders
Programs






Actively promote programs relevant to Youth
Attainment and Transitions.
Promote State Government initiatives and
Commonwealth programs. For example, represent
DEEWR on the Loddon Youth Partnerships
governance group with projects targeting
Sunraysia, Swan Hill, Gannawarra, Calder Corridor,
Sandhurst, Campaspe, Bendigo, Castlemaine and
Macedon Ranges. The project’s focus on placebased local governance, integrated service delivery
and developing flexible learning options to support
the retention of young people in education.
In partnership with key stakeholders, research best
practice in the development of career plans for
young people, and develop protocols to share plans
as a young person moves between services to
improve continuity and outcomes in education,
training and employment.
Explore and implement projects that support young
people to develop employability skills and
entrepreneurial skills.










Catholic Education
Office
Department of
Education and Early
Childhood
Development (Vic)
Department of
Human Services (Vic)
Disability Employment
Services (DES)
providers
Indigenous
Employment Program
(IEP) panel members
Job Services Australia
(JSA) providers
Local Government
Councils
Local Learning and
Employment
Networks
Schools
Skills for Education
and Employment
(SEE) providers
(formerly Language,
Literacy and
Numeracy Program)
Youth Connections












Apprenticeships
Access Program
Australian
Apprenticeships
Mentoring Package
Australian
Apprenticeships
Program
DES
IEP
Indigenous Youth
Career Pathways
Program
JSA
SEE
Sporting Chance
Program
Trade Training
Centres in Schools
Workplace English
Language and Literacy
Youth Attainment and
Transitions
Youth Connections
Issue 7
Difficulties in recruiting a trained and experienced workforce in
the horticulture and agriculture industries.
Goal:
Improve access to a skilled and trained workforce for the horticultural and
agricultural industries.
Theme(s):
School education; Tertiary education and training; Jobs, skills and workforce
development.
Strategies
Stakeholders
Programs






Promote programs and pathways that support
entry into horticulture and agriculture by facilitating
exhibitor sites promoting relevant programs and
opportunities at agricultural expos.
Evaluate and expand on the skills passport pilot
recently undertaken under the Employer Broker
program.
Work with institutions to support and develop
targeted place based projects, such as the Agrifoods
National Regional Initiative in Buloke, Loddon and
Gannawarra.
Explore and develop a Workplace English Language
Literacy (WELL) project to support the horticulture
sector with changing technology requirements.













Australian
Apprenticeship
Centres
Department of
Business and Industry
(Vic)
Department of
Education and Early
Childhood
Development (Vic)
Disability Employment
Services (DES)
providers
Industry Skills Council
Job Services Australia
(JSA) providers
Local government
Local Learning and
Employment Network
providers
Regional
Development
Australia Loddon
Mallee
Registered training
organisations
Rural Skills Australia
Schools
TAFE
WELL brokers




Australian
Apprenticeships
DES
JSA
School Business
Community
Partnership Brokers
WELL
Issue 8
The need to consider future workforce planning needs for the
region.
Goal:
Address skill shortage issues through the promotion and implementation of
workforce development strategies and increase the participation rate within the
region.
Theme(s):
School education; Tertiary education and training; Jobs, skills and workforce
development.
Strategies
Stakeholders
Programs






Encourage and support Regional Development
Australia (RDA) Loddon Mallee, Regional
Development Victoria (RDV) and Local Government
Areas (LGAs) to develop a regional workforce
development strategy.
Assist the culturally and linguistically diverse
community to engage in employment by promoting
programs to address their vocational language and
literacy needs.
Promote programs that assist workforce
development needs across the region, such as the
National Workforce Development Fund (NWDF) and
Workforce English Language and Literacy (WELL),
particularly targeting transport and logistics,
agriculture, manufacturing and health and
community services sector.
Research and identify areas within Loddon Mallee
where participation rates have significantly
dropped below the Victorian average. Inform and
work with key stakeholders to develop and
implement strategies to address low levels of
participation.














Department of
Education and Early
Childhood
Development (Vic)
Department of
Industry, Innovation,
Climate Change,
Science, Research and
Tertiary Education
Department of
Planning and
Community
Development (Vic)
Disability Employment
Services (DES)
providers
Education providers
Industry Skills
Councils
Job Services Australia
(JSA) providers
Local Area
Coordinators
Local Employment
Coordinators
Local Government
Councils
Local Learning and
Employment
Networks Providers
RDA Loddon Mallee
RDV
Registered training
organisations
Skills for Education
and Employment
(SEE) providers
(formerly Language,
Literacy and
Numeracy Program)












Australian
Government Skills
Connect
Australian Schoolbased
Apprenticeships
Career development
resources (‘The Real
Game’, ‘My Future’)
DES
IEP
JSA
NWDF
Parental and
Community
Engagement Program
Seasonal Worker
Program
SEE
Trade Training
Centres in Schools
WELL
Youth Attainment and
Transitions
Issue 9
High numbers of teenage parents who are unemployed or in
low paid positions.
Goal:
Improve education and training outcomes for teenage parents.
Theme(s):
School education; Tertiary education and training.
Strategies
Stakeholders
Programs






Identify engagement strategies and best practice
from the ‘Helping Young Parents’ measure (with a
pilot location in Shepparton in the RDA Hume
region) that could be used to support teenage
parents in the Loddon Mallee region.
Support local initiatives that collaborate and align
with Australian Government policy and programs to
improve education and training outcomes.
Support and develop child care options for teenage
parents returning to education.






Department of
Education and Early
Childhood
Development (Vic)
Department of
Human Services
(Centrelink)
Department of
Human Services (Vic)
Disability Employment
Services (DES)
providers
Job Services Australia
(JSA) providers
Local Employment
Coordinators
Local Learning and
Employment Network
Providers


DES
Helping Young
Parents’ measure –
Shepparton pilot
location
JSA
Youth Connections
Issue 10
Communities adjusting to the economic and community effects
of drought; current economic conditions and the
Murray–Darling Basin Plan.
Goal:
Support communities to adjust to changes in economic and environmental
conditions, particularly the horticultural and agricultural sector.
Theme(s):
Tertiary education and training; Jobs, skills and workforce development.
Strategies
Stakeholders
Programs










Collaborate with Regional Development Australia
(RDA) Loddon Mallee to support projects developed
as a result of the Regional Economic Diversification
Project.
Promote and encourage place-based initiatives
designed to re-skill workers and job seekers to
capitalise on future opportunities.
Promote funding opportunities, programs and
initiatives to assist with the transition to the
Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
Participate in key industry meetings.
Collaborate with Job Services Australia (JSA)
providers; Disability Employment Services (DES)
providers; registered training organisations (RTOs)
and industry to identify and implement training
strategies to re-train workers potentially affected
by the water reforms.











Department of
Business and
Innovation (Vic)
Department of
Planning and
Community
Development (Vic)
Department of
Primary Industries
(Vic)
Department of
Sustainability and
Environment (Vic)
DES providers
Indigenous
Employment Program
(IEP) providers
Industry
JSA providers
Local Government
RDA Loddon Mallee
RTOs
Water catchment
authorities

DES
IEP
JSA
National Workforce
Development Fund
VET National Support
Program
APPENDICES
Appendix A — Stakeholders
Below is a list of organisations consulted during the development of this RESJ Plan, listed by sector.
Sector
Stakeholder
Local government
Buloke Shire; Campaspe Shire; Central Goldfields Shire; Greater Bendigo City;
Gannawarra Shire; Loddon Shire; Macedon Ranges Shire; Mildura Rural City;
Mount Alexander Shire; and Swan Hill Rural City.
State government
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (Skills Victoria);
Department of Planning and Community Development (Regional Development
Victoria); Department of Justice; Department of Human Services.
Government service
Youth Connections providers; Language Literacy and Numeracy Program
providers
providers; School Business Community Partnership Brokers (Local Learning and
Employment Networks providers in Victoria).
Education
Vocational Education and
Training
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (Vic).
Sunraysia Institute of TAFE; Bendigo Regional Institute of TAFE; MADEC.
Higher education
La Trobe University; University of Ballarat.
Youth
Local Learning and Employment Networks; Youth Connections; Youth
Partnerships Governance Group.
Employment
Job Services Australia providers; Disability Employment Services; Industry Skills
Councils; Australian Industry Group; Victorian Employers’ Chamber of
Commerce and Industry.
Indigenous organisations
Local Aboriginal Education Consultative Groups, Local Indigenous Networks and
Aboriginal Corporations
Regional Education, Skills and Jobs Plan – Loddon Mallee 27
www.deewr.gov.au/resj
Appendix B — Existing related plans and strategies
This section includes some of the related strategic plans in the region which have:

influenced the direction of this RESJ Plan

have complementary goals and strategies and/or

have significance in the region in relation to education, skills and jobs.
It provides an overview of how each strategy or plan has had an impact on this RESJ Plan and how it may
be utilised to maximise outcomes.
How it can be
used/linked/expanded
Plan or strategy
Impact on RESJ Plan
Regional Development Australia
(RDA) Plan (incorporating the
Northern and Southern Loddon
Mallee regional strategic plans)
The RDA plan is built on extensive
community collaboration and
environmental scanning which
includes significant strategies that
seek to increase economic
opportunity and participation in
education, training, tertiary
attainment and employment.
The RDA plan states that
substantial alignment between the
RDA Committee, regional
governance bodies, local councils,
industry and other regional
organisations helped to develop
the RDA plan and continues to
drive significant work through
those relationships and objectives.
The strategies in this RESJ Plan
build on and complement RDA
networks and initiatives. The RDA
Plan has identified improving
Indigenous outcomes, increasing
participation in education overall
and developing a RESJ Plan as a
focus to develop the region.
Advancing Country Towns Initiative
Actions developed by local
communities participating in this
initiative are supported in this RESJ
Plan.
The strategies in this RESJ Plan
complement the actions of the
Advancing Country Towns
Initiative.
Youth Partnerships
The goal of Youth Partnerships in
the region is to help all Loddon
Mallee young people to
successfully complete Year 12 or
its equivalent.
The strategies relating to youth in
this RESJ Plan complement and
support the goal of Youth
Partnerships.
Priority Employment Area initiative
– Ballarat-Bendigo (Central
Victoria) and North Eastern
Victoria
The RESJ Coordinator will work
closely with the Local Employment
Coordinators to support projects
improving employment and
participation outcomes. Each Local
Employment Coordinator has
developed a Regional Employment
Plan for their priority employment
area.
The Priority Employment Area
initiative will improve employment
and workforce development
outcomes and this RESJ Plan
complements the Regional
Employment Plan.
Regional Education, Skills and Jobs Plan – Loddon Mallee 28
www.deewr.gov.au/resj
How it can be
used/linked/expanded
Plan or strategy
Impact on RESJ Plan
Local Learning and Employment
Network (LLEN) initiative
The LLEN organisations are
required to develop plans that
focus on improving outcomes for
participation in education, training
and employment for 10 to 19 year
olds. These goals overlap with RESJ
activities.
RESJ strategies relating to
education, training and
employment needs for 10 to 19
year olds complement the activity
of the Loddon Mallee LLENs.
Helping Young Parents measure –
Shepparton LGA
In the 2011–12 Budget, the
Australian Government announced
a new initiative to help teenage
parents in disadvantaged
locations. There are 10 pilot sites
across Australia, including
Shepparton which is in the Hume
RDA area in Victoria. The aim of
the Helping Young Parents
measure is to support teenage
parents while they finish school
while providing necessary support
for their children. This will improve
outcomes for both teenage
parents and their children.
Strategies in this RESJ Plan include
identifying engagement strategies
and best practice developed in the
Shepparton trial which have
potential to be applied in the rural
cities in the Loddon Mallee region.
ABBREVIATIONS
Abbreviation
Full Term
ABS
Australian Bureau of Statistics
AEDI
Australian Early Development Index
DEECD
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (Victoria)
DEEWR
Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
DES
Disability Employment Service
ECEC
Early Childhood Education and Care
FaHCSIA
Department of Families, Housing, Community Service and Indigenous Affairs
HIPPY
Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters
JSA
Job Services Australia
IEP
Indigenous Employment Program
LGA
Local Government Area
LLEN
Local Learning and Employment Networks
NBN
National Broadband Network
NWDF
National Workforce Development Fund
RDA
Regional Development Australia
RDV
Regional Development Victoria
RESJ
Regional Education, Skills and Jobs
RTOs
Registered training organisation
SEE
Skills for Education and Employment
VET
Vocational education and training
WELL
Workplace English Language and Literacy
Regional Education, Skills and Jobs Plan – Loddon Mallee 30
www.deewr.gov.au/resj