CUC - Southern Riverina chair Leanne Small said to prepare the submission, feedback was received from 25 local businesses and organisations highlighting skills and education gaps in the community.
The committee also had pledges of $340,000 in financial and in-kind contributions from local businesses and individuals.
The application seeks government support to set up CUCs in both Deniliquin and Finley.
These facilities would not only support school leavers to continue their studies locally, but also older community members wishing to upskill or change careers.
While locations for the CUCs are yet to be determined, it has been proposed they be co-located with each town’s TAFE campus.
“We managed to get the application in before the October 18 deadline, and we received some amazing support,” Mrs Small said.
“We had more than 25 responses to our community survey, with a good cross-section providing us with vital information on the training needs and skills gaps of our community.
“Amazingly, we got more than $340,000 in financial and in-kind pledges, which will strongly support our application.
“We had community members make some small donations and we had some larger corporate contributions.
“We think it is a very strong application because of the input we received, and the strong industry and community engagement.”
Survey participants provided feedback to suggest the local CUCs would be beneficial in helping to fill employment gaps across a number of sectors, including health, agriculture, social welfare, education (including early childhood), trades and professional services.
“(The CUC) Could provide opportunities for existing employees to develop and fill future vacant positions,” one respondent said.
“Staff could access online development program to build leadership capabilities. Additionally, a CUC means that families of staff looking to relocate have the capacity to continue to access tertiary and other training from a rural location. Overall, it adds to the appeal to relocate.”
Another agreed that more local training opportunities would not only support a vibrant local workforce, but the town’s overall economy too.
The feedback said it would also bridge the divide in opportunities offered to rural and city people.
“We need more local opportunities to train our staff to make training available to everyone,” the respondent said.
“Some of our staff do not like to travel outside of the local area, so are missing out.
“Online training is isolating, and you don't have others to collaborate with.
“There is much to gain for workplaces and local communities when businesses invest in their people and our organisation would definitely support the Country Universities Centre.”
Mrs Small said a decision on the application would not be known until early next year.
If successful, the expectation is the CUC - Southern Riverina committee will have both CUCs up and running by the second half of 2025.
The set-up costs would be partially funded by government, and partially by industry.
CUC - Southern Riverina is investigating grants to add to the pool of funds, and anticipates a model will be developed to encourage community funding support for ongoing costs of running the facility.
28°C