More students in Casterton will be able to develop their practical skills to work in high demand and high growth industries thanks to the Andrews Labor Government.
Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney announced Casterton Secondary College is one of eight recipients of the inaugural Lynne Kosky Memorial Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) Grants.
The Lynne Kosky Memorial VCAL Grants acknowledges the outstanding contribution made to education and training in Victoria by Lynne Kosky, the former Victorian Education Minister who passed away in December 2014.
The grants will provide financial support to eight outstanding schools to develop learning initiatives for their students that involve strong community participation.
This project involves the design and construction of an enclosed, organic co-operative produce farm using an aquaponics system including a business plan and community consultation.
Other projects that the grants will support are a plastic recycling program, an organic cooperative farm, the redecoration of a youth centre and the creation of a sensory garden at a specialist school.
VCAL is a hands-on option for students in Years 11 and 12. It provides students with practical work-related experience, as well as literacy and numeracy skills and the opportunity to build personal skills that are important for life and work.
Quotes attributable to Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney
“VCAL plays a key role in building skills essential to the workplace and forging strong links with industry and local community organisations.”
“Initiatives like the Lynne Kosky Memorial VCAL Grants help students gain the practical skills they need to thrive in the jobs of the future.”