The Andrews Labor Government is helping Latrobe Valley locals get the skills and experience they need to kickstart new careers.
Minister for Industry and Employment Ben Carroll and Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing were in Morwell today to meet Worker Transition Service participants who’ve almost finished a Certificate III in Non-Emergency Patient Transport.
The group of 13 include former Hazelwood Power Station and Carter Holt Harvey mill employees and are part of the first cohort undertaking the course.
The course has been offered by Federation Training in partnership with the Royal Flying Doctor Service to meet the growing needs of non-emergency transport in Gippsland.
The students have participated in work experience with the Royal Flying Doctor Service Mobile Patient Care and upon completing the course, will be qualified Patient Transfer Officers.
The Labor Government’s $22 million Worker Transition Service, delivered through the Latrobe Valley Authority, provides support to workers, family members and contractors affected by the closure of Hazelwood and the Carter Holt Harvey mill.
More than 1,100 people in the Latrobe Valley have registered for the service, which is part of the Labor Government’s unprecedented $266 million package to support local businesses and workers.
The Royal Flying Doctor Service is one of the world’s largest aeromedical organisations, serving more than 290,000 patients living, working and travelling in rural and remote Australia each year.
The organisation currently employs 80 Gippsland locals, with branches in Morwell, Wonthaggi and Sale.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Industry and Employment Ben Carroll
“We’re making sure the Latrobe Valley continues to be a great place to live, work and invest.”
“We’ll continue to support workers, their families and local businesses through our Worker Transition Service which is helping locals find new jobs.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney
"Access to quality training is crucial to assisting workers in transition and helping communities thrive - that's why we're supporting people in the Latrobe Valley to get the skills they need for the jobs they want."
Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing
“We’re supporting the Royal Flying Doctor Service to create local jobs and ensure that they have the right workforce to serve our growing communities.”
“We’re absolutely determined to support the Latrobe Valley to reach its full potential now and into the future. It’s what we’ve done since we were elected and it’s what we’ll always continue to do.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020