Chambers Promote Fee Free Education

By Paul Gellatly

Both Bowen and Whitsunday Coast Chambers of Commerce held events to promote and raise awareness of fee free education and employment opportunities last week, giving vital information to small businesses on how they can benefit from up to $20,000 of state government funding.

Both chamber's monthly meetings were addressed by Department of Youth Justice, Employment, Small Business and Training speakers, including Kim Carlyon of the Back to Work program; Jo McKee, a Mentoring for Growth (M4G) mentor; Julia Wheway from Bowen and Cannonvale TAFE; wellness coach Kristy Wilson; and Natalie Link of TAFE Mackay/Isaac.

Kim Carlyon talked about the benefits of the Back to Work program, with support for businesses in finding employees, partnered with TAFE.

Employers can receive up to $20,000 for hiring target group workers including youth (15 to 24), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and the disabled, who had been unemployed for eight weeks, and long-term unemployed at 52 weeks.

Jo McKee said mentoring for businesses had proved invaluable after Cyclone Debbie devastated the Whitsundays in 2017 and provided free planning advice for business recovery through a network of 370 mentors, available through videolink or face-to-face sessions, concentrating on nine areas of focus.

"Sometimes you feel you can't open up about your business problems but if you have a plan, it helps ease the anxiety," she said.

Kristy Wilson said business wellbeing coaching had also proved helpful in giving business owners an avenue to discuss their problems.

"Most business owners are very isolated," she said, adding that in some instances the agency could offer access to mental health services.

Natalie Link outlined jobseeker support to get back into employment with job training to Certificate III level guaranteed.

Julia Wheway spoke about TAFE's readiness for Whitsunday area job requirements with its Health Hub and Agricultural Centre of Excellence, the latter of which featured a hydroponic 'vertical garden' capable of growing the equivalent of an acre of conventionally farmed produce into an area the size of a shipping container.

Ms Wheway said fee-free TAFE courses were available in 90 different programs in industry-accessible areas, which allowed people to learn and work in their home area.

A common theme with all speakers was that free supports were going begging in the Whitsunday area and that local support was essential in ensuring that funding was not mopped up by larger centres.

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The Whitsunday Coast Chamber of Commerce event: Julia Wheway from Whitsunday TAFE, wellness coach Kristy Wilson, Jo McKee, a Mentoring for Growth (M4G) mentor, Gus Walsgott Vice President of Whitsunday Coast Chamber of Commerce, Kim Carlyon of the Back to Work program and Natalie Link of TAFE Mackay/Isaac. Photo credit: Rachael Smith

Warren Bunker, CEO of Whitsunday Regional Council and Councillor Clay Bauman. Photo credit: Rachael Smith

Julia Evans from Whitsunday Coast Chamber of Commerce and Fiona Erquiaga from Smooth Sailing Finance. Photo credit: Rachael Smith

Ruby Gorlick, advertising sales representative from Core Publishing, Mayor Julie Hall and Bronte Hodge, journalist with Core Publishing. Photo credit: Rachael Smith

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