Central Grampians Local Learning and Employment Network

23/10/2026

READY TO LAUNCH: This year, our team has been working hard behind the scenes to develop an exciting new program for local secondary students. DroneEd is an interactive classroom lesson that exposes Year 8 students to local industries that utilise drones and other advanced technology in their day-to-day operations. The program is designed to showcase the diverse pathway options available to students post school, provide technology-related skills and knowledge and create meaningful connections between local students and employers.

DroneEd combines videos of local industry professionals with hands-on learning to increase student awareness of the capabilities of drones. Featured local industries include agriculture, environment, mining, local government, emergency services, real estate and digital media. The program was successfully piloted with a group of Year 8 students last month and is ready to launch this term!

A big thank you to The Hugh D.T Williamson Foundation for providing funding for the project.

22/10/2026

Our Industry Engagement activities, including Industry Engagement Presentations, Workplace Industry Tours, Practice Interviews, Careers Quick Chat, VIC VICE and DroneEd have significant benefits for local students and businesses. These connections are worth fighting for. Help us secure the future of our organisation by making a tax-deductible donation through our website (link in bio).

21/10/2026

We are excited to announce Ararat North Primary School (ANPS) as our latest MATES Community Champion. As part of its commitment, the school is encouraging staff to join the MATES program as mentors.

Yesterday, Nat visited ANPS to facilitate MATES mentor training for two staff members, with a further staff member to be trained in the coming weeks. With our MATES program in high demand across Ararat Rural City and the Northern Grampians Shire, this initiative will reduce the reliance on volunteer mentors from the community and enable more local students to participate in the program.

A big thank you to Jess and the team at Ararat North for their ongoing support of MATES.

16/10/2026

Our Resilient Ararat program is a school-led approach to promoting positive mental and emotional health and wellbeing among students and the wider community. The project supports the implementation of The Resilience Project curriculum in participating schools across Ararat Rural City and promotes positive community engagement with mental and emotional health. Through the development of specialised projects and activities, Resilient Ararat helps reinforce the important work schools are undertaking with students throughout the local community.

Since 2020, Resilient Ararat has launched a campaign each October to mark Mental Health Month. Our latest campaign, Press Play for RA is currently live on Resilient Ararat’s Facebook an Instagram pages. We have also introduced ongoing community initiatives like Paying it Forward-Kindness in a Cup and the Positive Postie Virtual Gratitude Wall.

15/10/2026

FUND THEIR FUTURES: TAC L2P Program mentor, Tony Sutherland is a strong supporter of CGLLEN and the work we do to support youth in our local community.

If you would like to help secure the future of our organisation, please visit the CGLLEN website (link in bio) and consider making a tax-deductible donation. Every little bit helps.

14/10/2026

INVESTING IN OUR LOCAL YOUNG PEOPLE: A huge thank you to Aaron and Jamielee from Watts Plumbing and Roofing, who have made a generous donation pledge to our Fund their Futures corporate partnerships model. If you would like to invest in the future of CGLLEN and ensure our local young people continue to have access to programs and activities that help them explore career pathways, build confidence and prepare for the workforce, please visit the CGLLEN website (link in bio).

Local Learning and Employment Networks (LLENs) goal is to support all secondary school students by developing partnerships which result in an increase in the number and range of school-employer engagement activities in local government areas.

13/10/2026

Our organisational values reflect who we are and how we work. Strong partnerships and locally relevant initiatives are central to what we do. Here’s a snapshot of how our values help us improve outcomes for our local young people.

If you would like to support CGLLEN, please visit our website (link in bio) and consider making a tax-deductible donation to help secure the future of our organisation.

12/10/2026

Central Grampians LLEN delivers the TAC Learner to Probationary Licence (L2P) Program across Northern Grampians Shire, Ararat Rural City, Pyrenees Shire and parts of the Corangamite Shire.

The road safety community-based volunteer program is funded by the Transport Accident Commission and managed by the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP). L2P helps young Victorian learner drivers aged 16 to 21 (and in some cases, up to 23 years), who do not have access to a supervising driver or vehicle, gain the 120 hours driving experience required to apply for a probationary licence.

Eligible learners are matched with a fully licensed volunteer mentor and program vehicle to help them gain the driving experience required for a probationary licence. L2P provides an opportunity for young people to interact with positive adult role models, gain confidence and move towards social independence. Getting a driver’s licence also helps opens doors to new opportunities, including employment and education.

12/10/2026

At CGLLEN, we work closely with our industry partners to ensure our local secondary school students are exposed to a diverse range of occupations and career pathways.

We launched Careers Quick Chat in 2023, to bring industry professionals and students together for unique networking opportunities. The initiative gives students the opportunity to spend five minutes with each employer to gain an understanding of careers and pathways, job roles, qualifications and employment opportunities. As well as broadening young people’s scope for school subject selection and higher education, Careers Quick Chat highlights job opportunities that are available locally and further afield.

This year, 95 students attended Careers Quick Chat at Ararat College , Marian College Ararat and Lake Bolac P-12 College. A huge thank you to the wonderful industry representatives who help make these events possible.

10/10/2026

FUND THEIR FUTURES: As Deputy Chair of the CGLLEN Board of Management, Claire Sladdin sees the positive impacts our programs and activities have on local young people.

To show your support for CGLLEN, please visit www.cgllen.org.au/donate and consider making a tax-deductible donation to help secure the future of our organisation.