‘I would like to begin by acknowledging the people of the Bundjalung Nation and the local Widjabul Wia-bal people as the traditional custodians of the land on which we gather today.
In the spirit of reconciliation, North Coast Community College acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and emerging and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.’
This week is NAIDOC Week 2022 and runs from July 3 until July 10. It is a time to honor and celebrate our First Nations culture and to bring our communities together as one.
On Monday July 3, our team participated in the annual NAIDOC Week celebration walk in Ballina which is an important time for us as a community college and local community members to join together and reflect, acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
It also gives us an opportunity to acknowledge the history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders both past and present.
This year’s theme is Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up! which encourages all of us to champion institutional, structural, collaborative, and cooperative change while celebrating those who have already driven and led change in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities over generations.
So, get out there, show your support and get involved with some of the local events within our community.
If you aren’t aware of what’s going on in the community, we have outlined some local events within the Northern Rivers and Maclean area below with some useful links for more information.
Thursday July 7
DEADLY LAWN BOWLS | BALLINA
Location: Cherry Street Bowling Club
Time: 11:00am to 2:00pm
Friday July 8
Tweed NAIDOC Week Dinner Dance | TWEED HEADS
Location: Coolangatta & Tweed Heads Golf Club
Time: 6:15pm to 11:55pm
To find more about more events during NAIDOC week in our local area you can find a couple of event links below:
We recently delivered fully funded Barista training to flood affected students from St John’s College Woodlawn in Lismore through our charity program.
This training was gratefully funded thanks to grant assistance from Northern Rivers Community Foundation and the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) via its Seed of Renewal 2019 Program, with funds provided by ANZ.
North Coast Community College CEO Kate Kempshall explains. “The college is extremely grateful to the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) and ANZ for the Seeds of Renewal Project funding for our charity program, which aims to advance education within the community by providing financial assistance, programs, and scholarships to disadvantaged youth.”
Why we provided funded training
In recent weeks, our community has been absolutely devastated by the recent flood events. By providing fee free hospitality training to flood affected students, we can increase their employment opportunities and alleviate some of the financial pressure on their families, many of whom have lost jobs and are living in temporary accommodation.
Recovery from this 1 in 500-year flood event is likely to take longer than expected, however the resilience shown from of our community is truly inspiring and North Coast Community College is committed to supporting the community through delivering training and workshops to assist the recovery process.
ANZ General Manager Business Banking Jenefer Stewart said: “The ANZ Seeds of Renewal program has been providing grants to regional and rural Australia for the past 20 years. While we always enjoy seeing these projects come to life, it is particularly great to see this grant making a difference in Lismore after a difficult few months for the community,” Ms Stewart said.
Over the course of two days, students had the opportunity to develop skills and learn from experienced hospitality trainers. Upon successful completion students achieved statements of attainment in the Nationally Recognised SITHFAB005 Prepare and serve espresso coffee.
St John’s Woodlawn’s Hospitality Teacher, Sophie Base was grateful that her students got the opportunity to have their training costs fully funded. Sophie explains. “We’re very lucky that we’ve had our funding covered. We’re all so appreciative, especially with what’s been happening in our local area so to have the burden financially taken off our students is amazing and we’re very thankful.”
How does the barista training help students?
This training provides greater employment opportunities for students to pursue their passion, start a career or to find a job while undertaking further study. Potential opportunities include working as a barista in local cafés or preparing and serving food at local sports clubs, cafes, and restaurants.
Training is also available to individuals and businesses in the wider community who are looking to retrain or upskill and is funded for those who meet eligibility criteria; however, this program focuses on students enrolled in school as they are not eligible for funding under our current state funding model.
The North Coast Community charity is committed to addressing the challenges of disengagement in our community by providing access to education and training programs. If our commitment resonates with you and you would like to assist, please make a charitable donation.
About North Coast Community College’s Charity
North Coast Community College RTO 90029 is celebrating 41 years of operation. Located in Alstonville, the college is a proud community owned not-for-profit registered charity and Registered Training Organisation which provides education and training services that are life enriching and relevant for the future.
The current programs reflect the immediate needs of the community and are flexible and adapted as the needs of community change.
Their focus is on supporting young people who are in danger of leaving school early or who are from financially disadvantaged backgrounds.
Over the past few weeks, our awesome Operations Manager and Trainer, Sarah, visited the Summerland Farm to help train and upskill their staff in barista training.
During the day, Sarah watched on as their wonderful staff members made and served coffee for their customers. She also jumped in to lend a hand when the café got busy and provided them with some tips to think about when making coffee.
The team worked well during the morning rush and had time to chat to customers and add their own personal touch to their coffee.
At the North Coast Community College, we are always on the look out to support the community in anyway we can. By helping the Summerland Farm train their staff on the go, we can help support their Supported Employment initiative through in-house training and development.
About Supported Employment
The Summerland Farm works with the Supported Employment Service, Aruma (formally House with No Steps and The Tipping Foundation), to help find employment opportunities for those with a disability.
Through this program, the team at Aruma and the Summerland Farm have managed to provide employment for many local community members. Because of this, we are more then happy to help support this great initiative and we will continue to provide help wherever we can.
About the Summerland Farm
The Summerland Farm is a magnificent macadamia and avocado farm which is located along the Ballina-Byron hinterland. It is a great place for the whole family which includes fun for the kids, meeting farm animals, hosting weddings, events and much more.
Through the Supported Employment program, they provide employment and skill development in a variety of areas of their business including:
Hospitality
Agriculture
Construction
All this hands-on training, employment and support is performed at their unique farm and venues.
Barista Training in the Northern Rivers
Are you looking to train your staff or refresh their skills on how to serve and make coffee? If so, we’d love to hear from you!
We enjoy getting out in the community and training staff at their workplace through customised training. This ensures that they are trained and are comfortable with the styles and processes within your own work environment.
If training at your workplace isn’t an option, then you and your team are more than welcome to complete your Barista Training at our Alstonville Campus.
Every country around the world is experiencing growth in the number and proportion of older people. As the years go on, the technology and healthcare we are able to provide for our ageing population improves, extending the quality and length of lives. In Australia, the percentage of those classified as ‘ageing’ is greater than the increase in population of any other age group. It is wonderful that our older generations are living healthier and longer lives, however it does place pressure on our health and care industries, with the demand for qualified health care workers and carers being higher than ever.
The number of people who require some form of aged care is set to double in Australia by 2050. With such an exceptionally strong and guaranteed future, the aged care industry is a fantastic career path to pursue. Let’s explore why:
Make an impact, daily
As an aged care worker, you can make a difference in the day-to-day life of an elderly person and their families. You’ll develop relationships and provide emotional support to patients you care for. It’s rewarding to see your efforts make someone’s day, whether it be a conversation about the news, listening to a story or providing simple care so that someone can feel confident in themselves. Best of all, you’ll go home knowing you genuinely made a positive difference to someone’s day.
Flexible working hours
Aged Care is great career path to pursue if you’re dreaming about escaping the 9-5. Many aged care workers are employed on a part-time basis and enjoy the added benefits of penalty rates for nightshifts, weekends and public holidays. With such high demand for workers, many employers are open to flexible working arrangements so you can plan work around your life, instead the other way around.
Genuine job availability and security
Aged Care is one of the few industries where job availability, security and new opportunities are almost guaranteed. The industry is expected to be one of the largest employers over the next 30 years, with positions predicted to increase exponentially. This means there is ample opportunity for qualified carers to gain employment and begin building a successful and fulfilling career.
Work is everywhere in Australia
Australia’s ageing population is a trend experienced right across the country, and in many countries internationally. Positions in Aged Care facilities are will be available in almost every town, in every state. This makes things easier if you want to move or transfer. And why not explore Australia or another country while you’re at it. Jump from contract to contract to live and work in many different places around the world.
Our Partnership with Whiddon Maclean
We are proud to have partnered with Whiddon Maclean, a residential aged care home in Maclean in the Northern Rivers of NSW, to deliver the full qualification, CHC33015 – Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing). Through this partnership, we can offer the Northern Rivers community a Certificate III qualification in Individual Support (Ageing), which will equip students with the hands on and practical skills and knowledge for an entry level position in the Aged Care industry. In just six months, students will be proficiently prepared to provide person-centred support to people who may require support due to ageing, disability or other reasons. The partnership with Whiddon Maclean has and will provide students the opportunity to gain on the job practical skills throughout their training by completing a day per week of work placement at the aged care facility.
The future for Aged Care looks very promising. With job flexibility, availability and security, this career path will offer many opportunities for growth.
What great news to start the new year. Three students from our Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) course, delivered in partnership with Cape Byron Distillery, were offered full-time and part-time positions at the Distillery whilst doing their training in December last year.
“We are thrilled to be delivering real employment outcomes for our students while providing employers in the Northern Rivers with a qualified workforce amidst a hospitality crisis” says Kate Kempshall, NCCC’s CEO.
A New RSA Course for the Northern Rivers
Formed from an ongoing relationship, the new collaboration with Cape Byron Distillery, located in the Byron Hinterland, is a first for the region and will provide the local community with a refreshed, current and exciting training opportunity. In early December, fifteen school leavers attended the first RSA course at Cape Byron Distillery. Upon completion of the course, three students were offered positions at the Distillery as bar and promotional staff. How’s that for landing a job!
Alongside this, The Aussie Hotel in Ballina and the Lennox Hotel have said they will be offering employment to students of our RSA and Responsible Conduct of Gambling (RCG) courses. There is no better time than the present to be upskilling and applying for work in our region, especially the hospitality sector, which is struggling to find qualified staff across the board.
Kate adds, “it’s an exciting time for the hospitality job market and our students, with so many jobs available for qualified applicants”.
Travel restrictions have provided opportunities to work
Lockdown and social distancing restrictions in our region have generated an industry-wide crisis for the Hospitality sector. Further to this, tourists who were relied upon to fill hospitality positions are no longer around, leaving behind a significant work-skills gap in the Northern Rivers. It’s from this crisis that our partnership with Cape Byron Distillery was born. The new RSA course has not changed in terms of learning criteria. It’s just more of an exciting day, being at the distillery and supporting another local business. This course will support job seekers to upskill and qualify for hospitality jobs. An additional benefit from this is that employers will have a larger pool of potential employees who are already trained for the job and ready to start work immediately.
About the New RSA Course
The RSA training at Cape Byron Distillery is delivered to participants over a full day, from 8:30am to 5pm. As well as receiving accredited RSA training, students tour the Distillery’s rainforest, learn about the distilling process and enjoy cocktail-making at the end of official proceedings. This specific training is open to over 18s, however other RSA training at the college is open to all ages. Units covered in this RSA training are: SITHFAB002 Provide responsible service of alcohol. This new RSA course is approved by Liquor and Gaming NSW and NCCC is an approved training provider in NSW 2020/2021.
No one could have ever predicted the effects COVID-19 has had on our everyday lives. Although, it has allowed us all to press the pause button on our lives and reflect, which has been refreshing, for the most part. With the new year approaching, motivation is at an all-time high. Make sure you use this energy to do some good, make change and grow your knowledge. And, with 2021 looking like a normal-ish year in Australia, it’s a great time to focus on yourself and learn something new, make a career change or upskill to land a job.
A Gap Year Alternative
Year 12s experienced a disruptive year from both a learning and social perspective. University students also had a full-on year, and it hasn’t been great for those who planned to travel either. If you’re contemplating a gap year in 2021, be prepared for continued restrictions on travel. Nevertheless, if you’re prepared to be flexible, there are plenty of opportunities to make a great gap year out of 2021.
Any work, whether related to a career path or not, will put you ahead of the game. Part-time work in a bar or café is great experience, and you’ll earn some extra cash too. The best part is that there is demand for employees to fill hospitality positions in the Northern Rivers, so finding a job may not be so hard, if you’ve got your RSA & RGC certificate and Barista Training.
Receiving training from a recognised training organisation such as North Coast Community College gives your qualification credibility and is a good move if you want to work overseas at some point too. This way you can prove with a certificate that you are qualified to be behind an industrial coffee machine or pouring drinks at a bar. With overseas travel pretty much out of the equation for 2021, use next year to set yourself up as a more attractive employee to Australian and international employers for now, and the future.
Make a Career Change
Feeling like you need a complete refresh for 2021? A career change might be something you’ve been putting off for a while, but 2021 is the year to tackle it head on. North Coast Community College has many options when it comes to qualifications that will change the direction of your career path.
Getting out of the office 9-5 is a popular reason why people choose to take a career change. Finding a more meaningful job that makes positive change is also a big one. With Australia’s ageing population growing, Aged Care is one of the few industries where job security and new opportunities are almost guaranteed. The college runs a CHC33015 Individual Support (Ageing) in collaboration with Whiddon Maclean. It’s a six-month course, preparing you to with real world and practical skills for employment, starting on 1st February 2021.
If learning about the environment, agriculture, land conversation and/ or bush foods piques your interest, look no further than North Coast Community College. The college has recently launched a new training facility and a series of qualifications that will give you practical, hands-on skills to set you up for a career in the primary industries.
Maybe construction is where you want to go next, and if so, you’ll need a ‘CPCCWHS1001 – Prepare to work safely in the construction industry’ (aka White Card) before you jump into any role. White Card training is required by anyone who wants to carry out construction work, including site managers, supervisors, surveyors, labourers and tradespeople. The course at North Coast Community College is accredited by SafeWork NSW and is a general induction training for anyone entering the industry.
Upskill to Improve Yourself
Education is an investment in knowledge that pays the best interest. Having qualifications in First Aid, CPR and Emergency Response is a highly valuable quality for anyone. No matter the situation, feeling confident knowing what to do if someone around you requires a first aid response is an advantage in any industry, especially if you’re wanting to work with children or in Aged Care. Having this in your back-pocket when going for any job, in any industry is a nice bonus too.
Learning something new just because it’s something you’ve always been interested in is an excellent reason to start a course or qualification in 2021. North Coast Community College have a series of courses in self-development, from learning how to excel at Excel, to basic bookkeeping and managing workplace teams. Learning keeps our brains healthy and it’s important we never stop.
2021 might just be your best year yet! Challenge yourself and try something new, set yourself up for success and reap the rewards with accredited and non-accredited training at North Coast Community College.
