Dear Community Partners,

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We need your support to ensure we can continue to deliver opportunities to young people in our region.

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Real-world learning and clear post school pathways change young people’s lives. Work experience, structured workplace learning, and employer engagement are critical to helping students explore careers, build confidence, and transition successfully into further education, training, and employment.

 

Our rural schools work tirelessly to create the best possible outcomes for their students. Despite their strong commitment, many young people still face barriers to accessing meaningful workplace opportunities without additional coordination and support. Our wide geographic spread, smaller school cohorts, limited public transport, and local workforce shortages mean that, without structured facilitation, too many students would miss out on valuable workplace experiences.

 

The Victorian Government is currently reviewing how the School to Work program is delivered, including the work Local Learning and Employment Networks (LLENs) provide across the state. Consultation is now open through the Engage Victoria website, where schools, parents, students, employers, and community members can contribute their views.

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As your local School to Work provider, the North Central LLEN plays a vital role by:

• Ensuring young people, especially those needing additional support, can access high-quality work-based learning aligned to their aspirations

• Connecting schools, employers, training providers, councils, and community services to create strong, local pathways

• Coordinating workplace learning opportunities and supporting businesses to build future workforce pipelines

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In rural communities like ours, this support is not just valuable, it is vital. we are committed to ensuring that no young person is disadvantaged because of their postcode.

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Without sustained funding, over 3,000 Victorian students each year would lose access to work-based-learning opportunities that LLENs coordinate.

 

Complete the short survey by 10 March 2026:  https://engage.vic.gov.au/work-experience

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Your input will help ensure that all young people continue to get the support they need to explore career pathways, build real-world skills, and move confidently toward their futures.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership and commitment to young people in our region. Please don’t hesitate to contact me to discuss this further.

 

Warm Regards,

Jane Hosking

CEO