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12 trailblazers to head overseas to help build a better Victoria

Wednesday, 30 November 2011

Projects to help solve many of the complex skills challenges faced by industry will be the focus for 12 Victorians heading overseas on fellowships organised through the International Specialised Skills (ISS) Institute.

The ISS Institute is a not-for-profit organisation founded by Sir James Gobbo AC CVO in the late 1980s. Each fellowship winner will receive $13,000.

Announcing the 2011 fellowships awardees, Minister for Higher Education and Skills Peter Hall said the Victorian Coalition Government was proud to support the fellowships through Skills Victoria.

"This year's ISS Fellowship recipients demonstrate significant drive and energy in finding industry relevant skills solutions to a wide range of current day issues," Mr Hall said.

"For example they are developing practical ways to remove toxic materials from furniture manufacture, finding smarter ways to deliver aged care services in rural, remote, and indigenous communities, and coming up with ways to build new skills proficiency in the baking industry.

"I would like to thank other supporters of these fellowships – the George Alexander Foundation, the Furnishing Industry Association of Australia (Vic/ Tas), Agrifood Skills Australia, and the William Angliss Institute of TAFE.

"Being awarded one of these prestigious fellowships demonstrates a significant investment in talents by the Victorian Coalition Government and private industry."

Upon their return to Australia, graduates of the Overseas Applied Research Fellowship Program share what they have learned by preparing a detailed report for distribution to government departments, industry and educational institutions; recommending improvements to education courses, and delivering workshops, conferences and forums.

"Over the past 20 years more than 200 Australians have received fellowships across many industry sectors – including agriculture, aerospace, automotive, regional tourism, and biotechnology," Mr Hall said.

"In addition experts from overseas come to Australia to share their expertise.

"These fellowships give Victorians the opportunity of being the best they can, bring innovative ideas to Australia, and improve our productivity in the long term.

"These are all things that help Victorian Government deal with current and future skills challenges."

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