LOCAL teenagers preparing to move from the district for further study will benefit from community funding to run a series of courses.
Cohuna Neighbourhood House received $8400 from the Seeds of Renewal program to subsidise its Preparing for Uni/Work/Life course.
Classes will be held between February 3 and 9 at the Market Street headquarters, enabling participants to gain their Level 2 First Aid, Responsible Service of Alcohol and Food Handlers’ Course qualifications.
Participants will also be able to learn about car maintenance basics thanks to a separate course to be held during the seven-day period.
“Following the recent decline in the dairy industry, this funding will enable the opportunity to support the district’s young people, which will flow onto their families,” Cohuna Neighbourhood House co-ordinator, Cathy Donehue said.
The program will initially target recent year 12 graduates, but has the potential to expand to cater for 17 to 25-year-old residents looking to upskill their knowledge before moving away from the area.
Eliza Kervin, who is preparing to move to Bendigo to study Nursing at La Trobe University, is one student who will take part in the program.
“This program is a great opportunity to take part in before going off to university, as I will already have qualifications when going for jobs,” she said.
“It will also look good to have these qualifications on your resume, as you will not know when you will need them.”
An initiative of the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal, one of Australia’s major banks provides funding to successful applicants to ensure the projects are completed.
“A key focus of the program is to empower community groups and grass-root initiatives to make a positive change,” the foundation’s chief executive officer, Natalie Egleton said.
Positions for each of the four classes are still available. To take part, contact the neighbourhood house on 5456 4666.
