Goulburn Murray LLEN

The Ministerial Review of Post Compulsory Education and Training Pathways in Victoria (the Kirby Report, 2000 - www.sofweb.vic.edu.au/voced/policy/index.htm#kirept) recommended:

• "that a statewide pattern of local planning networks consisting of relevant education and training providers, industry and other agencies should be developed and nurtured. It emphasised the benefits to be gained by a local cooperative approach to planning including community renewal and strengthening, minimising duplication and wasteful competition and acknowledging community and industry shared responsibility and ownership of post compulsory education and training."
• "that the State Training Board be restructured to form a Victorian Learning and Employment Skills Commission (VLESC) with a broad role in providing policy advice and direction in post compulsory education, training and employment to Government."

The networks were named Local Learning and Employment Networks (LLENs) to give them a clear identity and to emphasise their relationship with the VLESC.

LLENs have an important advisory and information role in partnership with the VLESC. The Victorian Qualifications Authority (VQA) Act 2000 (www.dms.dpc.vic.gov.au) outlines the functions of the VLESC including to support local learning and employment networks of providers and stakeholders in post compulsory education and training programs and services.

In April 2005 the Government released A Fairer Victoria - the Victorian Government Social Policy Action Plan.

A Fairer Victoria acknowledged the contribution being made by Local Learning and Employment Networks (LLEN) in improving the transition of young people to further education, training and employment.

The LLENs are central to two of the strategies articulated in the Government’s action plan:

• “Getting young people back on track” by improving the pathways and opportunities for young people disengaged from education and training; and
• “Developing Better Ways of Working Together at a Regional and Local Level” by better integrating service planning and delivery.

Further information on the Government's post compulsory education and training reform agenda can be found at www.det.vic.gov.au/det/postcomp/policy/.