Dec
2011
Creating jobs and linking with community – a long term plan
On Thursday 1 December, the The Hon Peter Hall MLC, Minister for Higher Education and Skills, Minister responsible for the Teaching Profession handed the keys to a new sustainable house at Selandra Rise in Clyde North to a third year apprentice and cut the ribbon launching MEGT’s Greenhouse project.
The house is one of six affordable homes built under a year-long partnership between MEGT, a not-for-profit organisation and one of Australia’s largest employers of apprentices, Stockland and Porter Davis Homes.
“What could be more fitting to mark the completion of this fantastic affordable housing project
than to be handing the keys to one of the people involved in its construction,” Mr Hall said.
Mr Hall praised the involvement of MEGT, Stockland and Porter Davis Homes, saying the project had resulted in employment for 15 trainees and apprentices in roles as varied as finance, real estate, building and construction.
The project also sets a benchmark for affordable environmental advances in housing construction for the future.
“The Victorian Coalition Government through Skills Victoria provided $100,000 in innovation funding to MEGT to build sustainable and affordable housing and to stimulate ongoing employment within the building and construction industry,” Mr Hall said.
“Each of the houses has been built according to environmental best practice through the use of solar hot water, recycled water for gardens, and the fit-out of smart wiring.
In 2010, MEGT partnered with Stocklands and Porter Davis Homes to pilot a model that would generate employment opportunities for apprentices and trainees. This model needed to be able to be scaled up or down to suit different geographic regions.
Six houses were purchased in Clyde North, Victoria on the Selandra Rise Estate. Learning from the problems of infrastructure and services disconnection faced by some other satellite estates, Stocklands planned the Selandra Rise project with community needs in mind. This was exactly the mindset that was synergistic with MEGT’s plans to create sustainable job opportunities for young people in regions right around Australia.
Fifteen apprentices and trainees have been employed by MEGT and placed with KPMG, Middendorp Electrics, Stocklands and Porter Davis Homes; with more trainees still to be employed for the real estate and financial services businesses connected to the Estate. It is the wide range of skills that makes this project scalable.
Estate building projects cycle tradespeople from house to house. That means only a handful of tradespeople are needed in building a large number of houses. It is when you combine all the industries involved in an estate, that employment for locals becomes sustainable after the houses have been built. While initial apprenticeships and traineeships come from the architects through to analysts, finance organisations and real estate agents, landscapers and the traditional building and construction companies; there are even more opportunities when the Estate is populated by retailers, libraries, sports facilities and schools. The sale of the houses in December 2011 will not therefore be the end of the employment opportunities for the community.
MEGT also assisted one of its apprentices, Michael Belli, in purchasing his first home from the estate.
In December, the project partners will sit down together and talk about the way forward. What were the learnings? What could we do better? Where should we take the model next? It’s important to Australian communities and to the Building and Construction industry that these types of schemes don’t stop with one estate and one region. It’s partnerships that will make them happen.
MEGT would like to acknowledge funding assistance from SkillsVic towards the success of this project.
No commentsDec
2011
Innovative building project lands apprentice a house
Minister for Higher Education and Skills Peter Hall will this morning hand the keys to a new sustainable house at Selandra Rise in Clyde North to a third year apprentice who helped build it.
The house is one of six affordable homes built under a year-long partnership between MEGT, a not-for-profit organisation and one of Australia’s largest employers of apprentices, Stockland and Porter Davis Homes.
“What could be more fitting to mark the completion of this fantastic affordable housing project than to be handing the keys to one of the people involved in its construction,” Mr Hall said.
“I congratulate Michael Belli on the purchase of his new home. Michael should feel especially proud to have had a hand in this project and the opportunity to demonstrate the future in affordable sustainable home construction.”
Mr Hall praised the involvement of MEGT, Stockland and Porter Davis Homes, saying the project had resulted in employment for 15 trainees and apprentices in roles as varied as finance, real estate, building and construction.
The project also sets a benchmark for affordable environmental advances in housing construction for the future.
“The Victorian Coalition Government through Skills Victoria provided $100,000 in innovation funding to MEGT to build sustainable and affordable housing and to stimulate ongoing employment within the building and construction industry,” Mr Hall said.
“Each of the houses has been built according to environmental best practice through the use of solar hot water, recycled water for gardens, and the fit-out of smart wiring.
“The Victorian Government continues to support the development of new skills through the Victorian Training Guarantee and it has been a phenomenally successful driver for promoting skills development in Victoria.
“Under the guarantee the Victorian Government has provided subsidised training to record numbers of Victorians to help them acquire the skills they need to secure employment or to improve their current skills base,” Mr Hall said.
Oct
2011
Mission Australia Trainee Awards
Inaugural Mission Australia Trainee Awards night at Melbourne Aquarium on Monday 3rd of October.
The awards to to acknowledge the efforts over more than 100 trainees that Mission has over the last couple of years across 3 different projects.
MEGT GT provided 22 trainees to Build the Vic Urban “POP UP PARK” at Dandenong. These trainees all have a level of disadvantage in the labour market and were unable to gain work, 2 of our trainees were lucky enough to receive awards.
10 of our original 22 were taken by bus to the event by Mission Australia and had a fantastic time.
Sep
2011
Jobs created by MEGT
The MEGT Group Training Greenhouse project was started over a year ago as an initiative to create employment for apprentices and trainees.
MEGT Group Training has purchased 6 blocks of land at the Selandra Rise Estate in City of Casey, Victoria, through Stockland and has partnered with Stocklands and Porter Davis homes to create those employment opportunities.
The houses are being built in line with best practice environmentally appropriate initiatives.
The houses are already under construction and 15 apprentices and trainees have been placed with a wide variety of organisations involved in building a new community.
Aug
2011
MEGT Institute Sydney Campus Graduation 2011
Despite the heavy rain on the evening of 21stJuly 2011, the MEGT Team welcomed to our yearly Graduation a great turn up of guests who came together to celebrate our graduates.
The MEGT Institute Sydney Campus has been the proud host of the event since 2005 and has worked along side the Group Training and the Workplace Based Delivery Teams to offer memorable nights every year.
On behalf of the MEGT Team, we would like to congratulate all graduates for their hard work, dedication and commitment to excellence throughout training.
A special mention to family members and friends who joined our Team in this celebration, it was indeed a beautiful evening filled with a sense of achievement.
Here are some appreciation words from the Academic, Administrative and Marketing Teams:
Vivienne Medway – Program Course Coordinator speaks on behalf of the entire Children Services academic and administrative teams:
“Congratulations to all of our students at graduation. It was great to see you all there with family and friends on a very wet and rainy night! Such a wonderful occasion to share your success and excitement in achieving your goals. I would like to acknowledge the challenges and diversity you have faced to gain your qualification. Well done and a very proud time for everyone! Now you need to go and make a difference to a child’s life. Share your passion, knowledge and skills with the children, their families and fellow staff in child care services. Enjoy your new journey and keep learning”
Marike Janavicius – Program Course Coordinator speaks on behalf of the entire Business and Hospitality academic and administrative teams:
“We were delighted to see such good attendance of graduating students and their families for the graduation. The evening began with drinks and canapés at the bar, with the opportunity for graduating students from the Institute, group training and the ACC to mingle and begin their networking with each other. It was a pleasure to be part of the moment and to enjoy their success. All graduates were excited to receive their certificates and to continue their careers with confidence and high expectations for the future. We are hoping that all the students will become part of MEGT’s Alumni for further networking opportunities.”
Keira McIntosh on behalf of the entire academic and administrative teams addresses the Sydney Campus Alumni students
“A big thank you to all our special Alumni students who attended as guests of honour at MEGT Institutes Sydney Campus graduation. Specifically thank you to Adelaide Brown, Tania Akary, Eveline Overink, Delvia Biting-Berek and Patricia Nathan whose contributions and achievements positively impacted all of the graduates. We really appreciate all the time and effort you have given to us in created an Alumni base for present and future students to get involved and share their inspiring stories. We look forward to continuing our Alumni work and growing our relationship with graduates to come. Keep posted on our exciting events and news as part of the Alumni project. We encourage all graduates to get involved and start sharing their experiences with present and future MEGT students.”
For Graduates wanting to download their Graduation photos please follow this link:
http://apprenticeshipjobs.com.au/Garduation2011/
Feb
2011
Occupational Trainee VISA Presentation
MEGT would like to invite all students to attend to the OTV presentation:
Occupational Trainee VISA Presentation
2nd March 2011 at 12pm, room 4.
(Sydney Campus)
Presented by Melanie Macfarlane, registered Migration Agent from MMMigration.
JOIN US!
Feb
2011
Sarka Slavickova – an inspiration to international students
Sarka Slavickova studying Diploma of Hospitality in the MEGT Institute’s sydney campus has been nominated for the NSW Premiere International Student of the Year Awards 2011.
Here is a short interview with Sarka regarding her study and her personal thoughts about life as an International Student.
1. Why did you choose to study at MEGT?
It was very hard for me to choose a school from overseas. It involved making the tough decision of leaving my family, friends and everything I knew behind to come overseas in order to pursue my dream. I was aiming to choose the best school available where I would be able to feel like home.
I received great recommendations from my agent and formal MEGT Institute students. When I arrived at MEGT Institute, I knew I had made a good decision.
2. What do you enjoy most about your course?
What I enjoy most of my course is the fact that I am studying with people from all over the world. You truly become aware of the cultural differences and upbringing among various nationalities and it is an incredible experience. The course also contains current practical and theoretical contends.
3. Why did you become involved in the MEGT Institute Student Council?
I wanted to do more than study, I wanted to help and contribute to the community.
Being a member of the Student Council is rewarding as I have the opportunity to be the voice of my fellow colleagues. Since becoming a member, I have organised and promoted several charity and social events.
Life as an international student can be quite bewildering sometimes. I joined the Student Council because it gave me the chance to at the very least, contribute to take the student’s mind off worries by organising fun and social events. I know how stressful it can be to find a new place to live, a new job, and on top of that still perform well academically.
4. What is your inspiration when promoting community based events?
As an international student I know how hard is to be accepted and to feel as part of the community.
The community based events help me and other international students to become a part of the community, to feel as we belong! Getting everyone together for events is the most important action because there is nothing better than to feel welcome in a new and different country, especially as exotic as Australia! Knowing that you have friends to rely on, show you around and be there in times of need is all you need to feel right at home in a overseas country. I wanted to share that feeling with all international students. I am also very enthusiastic about the blood donation program. As a regular donor I know how important it is to help.
5. Tell us about the NSW Premier International Student of the Year, how do you feel about your nomination?
Surprised and very much honored. I love what I do, and to be recognised for my actions is quite exciting! This nomination also brings more attention to the work being done by students actively involved in the community around NSW, which will hopefully inspire others to get active as well. Being one of the nominees for this prestigious award felt good and I was incredibly supported by the college especially by the Student Services Officer – Luci Vicente, who encouraged me to apply for this great award.
6. As an international student and nominee for the NSW International Student of the Year 2011 (VET), how do you balance/manage the academic requirements of your course and your active involvement with the community?
What I learn in my day to day class is relevant to the community work that I support and believe in. After completing my face to face study commitments, I dedicate an hour a day to study the textbook and then apply the knowledge that I have gained in the Student Council events. The hospitality industry is all about fulfilling people’s wishes and dreams. I see my fellow students as if they are my customers, and when organising events I seek to provide them the best service possible.
Plus I am also active blood donor – last donation was last week – my excitement often inspires others.
7. What is your advice for international students who, like you, would like to become involved with the community?
Think of something you love to do and find a way to put it to good use. For example, if you play an instrument, why not organize some live music/jam sessions with other students for the students? Community work never has to be a unpleasant task if you do what you enjoy and believe in!
8. Any final thoughts or suggestions?
I could not be where I am now without support of my family and college. MEGT Institute Student Services Officer, Luci Vicente helped me a lot at my early stages as a member of the Student Council. I would like to say a big thank you to her and all MEGT staff members, trainers and students who supported me in this fantastic journey!
Jan
2011
GT Special Offer
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