[Peter Walsh] Don’t fail our LLENs says Walsh

Local learning and employment networks want to continue delivering "high-impact, cost-effective outcomes to ensure all young Victorians are supported into education and employment".

And can't achieve that if the Allan Labor government does not commit to a new three-year LLEN contract to provide certainty for communities, schools, and students across Victoria.

Last week Jane Hosking, chief executive of the North Central LLEN and Jane Reid, executive officer at the Campaspe Cohuna LLEN, went to Parliament to meet with the Member for Murray Plains, Peter Walsh, and Shadow Minister for Education and Industry and Economic Growth, Jess Wilson.

Desperate to know where to turn next to get Victoria "investing in what works" the women said the Department of Education's current offer of a "highly limited" one-year contract undermines the stability of a proven model on which communities, schools and employers have relied for decades.

Ms Hosking said in real terms, despite growing demand, the 31 LLENs across the state have not received a funding increase since 2014.

She said VicLLENS have played a "critical role in bridging the gap" between education and employment for young people, across every region and postcode of the state.

"Since 2016, LLENs have coordinated more than 25,000 work-based learning (WBL) placements, currently partnering with almost 7000 employers statewide," Ms Hosking explained.

"These partnerships open doors to real-world experience, support transitions into meaningful careers, and connect young people to industries which need them most," she said.

"Without sustained investment, we risk losing trusted local relationships, networks and outcomes which cannot be quickly or easily rebuilt.

"Critically, we also risk losing a skilled, place-based LLEN workforce which cannot be readily replaced.