July to December 2023
The LVA is working with stakeholders and partners across Gippsland and in government to support and deliver projects, programs and services that are aligned to the Latrobe Valley and Gippsland Transition Plan (Gippsland 2035).
Our role is to support people and communities across Gippsland as the region experiences disruption caused by significant change to the local economy.
Transition support
- Led the planning, development and endorsement of Gippsland 2035, in collaboration with industry, community, education providers, and all levels of government.
- Gippsland 2035 is made up of three key documents which will guide the work that is needed for successful transition through the upcoming change.
- Latrobe Valley and Gippsland Transition Plan - identifies goals, guiding principles and areas of focus that will contribute to achieving positive outcomes
- Implementation Plan - highlighting current activity in the region that is supporting transition
- Outcomes Framework - to track progress towards achieving goals
Jobs, skills and workforce
- Delivering an expanded Opal Worker Support Service in partnership with the Gippsland Trades and Labour Council (GTLC) that has supported 24 participants (workers and family members) impacted by the closure of the Maryvale Mill in the Latrobe Valley.
- Delivered the Broadening Horizons program in partnership with Department of Education and ArcBlue. The program engaged 853 students, 15 Gippsland schools, and 31 industry partners in 2023.
- Delivering the Inclusive Employment Workforce Training (IWET) Project in partnership with GTLC. The program has assisted 63 Gippslanders experiencing barriers to employment between June – December 2023, with 15 gaining permanent employment, 38 gaining part time or casual jobs and 10 gaining apprenticeships.
- Delivering Ladder Step Up Latrobe Valley in partnership with the Ladder Foundation. The program delivered 4 programs and saw 25 graduates between June – December 2023.
- Delivering the New Energy Priority Workforce Project in partnership with Jobs Victoria, Solar Victoria and Maxima to create new entry level jobs in Gippsland for priority cohorts. To date the program has established relationships with 67 employers and industry partners and placed 22 jobseekers into employment.
Assisting local industry and business to maximise competitive advantage in identified regional strengths
- Launched the Event Venues Gippsland website in partnership with Destination Gippsland to promote and showcase 130 venues across Gippsland with the potential to host major events.
- Launched the Gippsland New Energy website in partnership with the Gippsland Climate Change Network (GCCN) and state and local government to provide easy to understand information about energy projects and energy transition in Gippsland.
- Partnered with state and local government and the tourism sector to secure events and community engagement activities for the region including the Visions of Kurnai Culture NAIDOC Week, Great Victorian Bike Ride and Village Feast in Inverloch.
- Coordinated the delivery of the 2023 Gippsland New Energy Conference in partnership with Gippsland Climate Change Network. The Conference hosted over 500 participants with over 70 speakers participating in 40 sessions.
- Supported and sponsored the Federation University Gippsland Innovation Breakfast series.
Archive
July 2022 to June 2023
The LVA has worked with partners across Gippsland and in government to support businesses, help people find jobs, protect the things that make our region special and create the conditions where every Gippslander has the opportunity to thrive, now and into the future.
Programs and projects
- Backed the Ladder Step Up Latrobe Valley program to engage 226 young people, with 80 finding employment post program and 61 re-engaging with secondary or vocational education. 105 young people have also been matched with community or workplace mentors.
- Partnered with the Gippsland Trade and Labour Council (GTLC) to deliver the Inclusive Employment and Workforce Transition project which registered 190 participants experiencing barriers to employment, with 6 gaining permanent employment, 6 gaining part-time jobs, 20 acquiring casual work and 4 gaining apprenticeships.
- Delivered the GROW Gippsland Program in partnership with Committee for Gippsland and Arc Blue to deliver 40 jobs including 21 full time, 13 part time and 6 casuals over the last 12 months.
- Created the Possible Me Early Years Project in partnership with Federation University to assist 132 families partner with teachers and researchers to design and implement successful strategies for promoting career knowledge among children.
- Co-designed a Priority Workforce Project with Jobs Victoria and worked with Solar Victoria, employers, service and training providers to plan for and create up to 100 entry-level new energy jobs in Gippsland by 2024.
- Extended the Broadening Horizons program in Gippsland until December 2023 to enable over 800 students within 15 Gippsland schools to continue developing skills and aspirations to enter the world of work until the end of the school year.
Research and reports
Three reports were commissioned and released:
- Gippsland Regional Labour Force Participation Report - factors influencing labour force participation in Gippsland including recommendations of interventions that will increase participation among specific groups.
- Gippsland Energy Skills Mapping Report - maps the current skills of Gippsland’s energy workforce and how they align to meet the needs of future projects in Gippsland.
- Assessing the potential for seaweed aquaculture in Gippsland – a first-of-its-type study in Australia exploring the viability of a seaweed aquaculture industry in Gippsland.
Latrobe Valley and Gippsland Transition Plan
Led the development of the Latrobe Valley and Gippsland Transition Plan that sets out a shared community vision for a thriving region in 2035, including opportunities for a strong, diversified economy and job creation in industries that will have a long-term future in Gippsland as the region undergoes significant change.
Events and community engagement
- Partnered with state and local government and the tourism sector to secure events and community engagement activities for the region including the Victorian Bowls Open the Australian Netball Championships and Melbourne Boomers.
- Worked in partnership with regional leaders to deliver the inaugural Festival of Big Ideas over two days at the Gippsland Performing Arts Centre. The festival provided an opportunity for the community to talk to regional leaders about their aspirations to help shape the future of Gippsland. It was attended by approximately 1,500 people, with over 45 speakers presenting their ideas.
- Supported the delivery of the inaugural Gippsland New Energy Conference. It was the first of its kind in Australia and was attended by over 400 government, industry, educational and community representatives.