Representatives from education and industry/business came together at the end of 2020 for a School Industry Round Table (SIRT) held by the Murray Mallee LLEN (MMLLEN) and the Department of Education and Training (DET) with the aim of improving outcomes for the regions young people.

“We had 55 attendees on the day, we were very pleased with the roll up and the commitment from local industries to engage with schools. MMLLEN has employed a School/Industry Project Manager who will progress some of the key recommendations from the day.” – Deborah Quin, Executive Officer MMLLEN

In the Transforming Career Education in Victorian Government Schools: Connecting Today’s Learning with Tomorrow’s Jobs statement, the Minister for Education anticipated that School Industry Roundtables (SIRTs): “…will bring together schools, training providers, industry and employers to discuss ways to improve student outcomes by better aligning schools’ career education programs and curriculum with workplace needs.”

“[SIRTs] will bring together schools, training providers, industry and employers to discuss ways to improve student outcomes by better aligning schools’ career education programs and curriculum with workplace needs.” – Minister for Education

The Swan Hill roundtable was one of a series of SIRTs across the state which the Victorian Government is supporting to improve school students’ engagement and achievement, employability skills, post-school transitions and employment outcomes by engaging schools with industry, local employers, education and training providers and community groups.

“The future prosperity of regional centres is dependent in making them attractive places to live, learn and work.” – Neil Coulson, Victorian Skills Commissioner

The recent work of the Nous Group in the Mallee Regional Skills Demand Profile Pulse Check (September 2020) provides an important update and skills demand projections for 2020-2022.

SIRTs provide a platform for all stakeholders to hear about these opportunities to inform their organisation’s planning and identify the priorities for strengthening the education and training pathways for young people to address the district’s skills shortage.