Developing Skills

Conservation Volunteers Australia

Conservation Volunteers Australia have been active co-ordinating volunteers to work at the Cumberland Plain Woodland site at Ropes Crossing.  During 2006 the organisation offered a qualification Certificate I in Active Volunteering. For more information contact Conservation Volunteers Australia on 02 9564 1244.

JobQuest

• Office computer skills

• 8 mature age participants

• 6 achieved jobs within a month

Schools Bizlink 2007 programme

• The NSW Business Chamber in conjunction with the Ropes Crossing Skilling and Employment Centre provided a program to help businesses link with local high schools, to expand student's knowledge of career opportunities within local business and industry, to encourage students to take up employment in a range of trade occupations and to prepare school leavers with the skills needed to gain employment and interview well.

• 6 schools participated from 3 local govt areas (Penrith, Blacktown and Fairfield)

• Industry speakers from 4 businesses attended the presentations

• A representative from the Australian business Apprenticeship Centre also attended the presentation.

• Approx 160 students attended the presentations

'The presentation was fantastic… The students thought it was great'
Carole Burrell, Careers Advisor Doonside High School

Green Corps

• Greening Australia, in partnership with Delfin Lend Lease, initiated the ropes crossing Bush Regeneration and Community Engagement Green Corps Project

• The Green corps team was involved in the bush regeneration, community engagement and ongoing conservation of the Regional Open Space at the new Ropes Crossing development located in St Mary's.

• Green Corps, was an Australian Govt initiative delivered by Greening Australia to give young Australians aged between 17-20 years the opportunity to receive accredited training and a youth training allowance while working on environment and heritage projects.

• There were 6 graduates from the project

Youth Art

• The project, a partnership between the North St Mary's Neighbourhood Centre, Chifley College and the Ropes Crossing Community Development team, gained widespread support in the area from ropes Crossing stakeholders including Penrith Council.

• The artwork was created by students from Chifley College Dunheved Campus, who worked with local aerosol artists Matthew 'Mistery' Peet and Patricia 'Chez' Prasad to develop a piece that reflects what the Ropes Crossing Skilling and Employment Centre does, while at the same time enhancing the street appeal of the centre.

• This project has given years eight and nine students valuable job skills, including teamwork, communitcation and safe work practices.

Artwork in progress

Artwork in progress

Final result

TAFE AV Jennings Home

During 2006 Delfin Lend Lease contracted and funded AV Jennings Homes to construct a home in Ropes Crossing and AV Jennings Homes sub-contracted Western Sydney Institute of TAFE in turn.  Thirty five pre-vocational students from carpentry, plumbing and horticulture courses at Western Sydney Institute of TAFE were involved in the construction of the three bedroom home.

Ropes Crossing Students

AV Jennings Home

AV Jennings Managers

Aussie Host Training

Ropes Crossing Skilling & Employment partnered with Mamre to provide Aussie Host Training to prepare job applicants for future employment opportunities, particularly at the new Ropes Crossing Coles Store.

Recruitment for Coles Ropes Crossing

Ropes Crossing Skilling & Employment assisted over 120 local people apply for jobs at Coles Ropes Crossing.  Applicants used the computers at Skilling and Employment to complete on line applications and complete Coles Assessment Tasks.  Staff provided guidance and support as well as a session on group interview skills.

Local Job Network Providers referred their clients to a special program developed by Ropes Crossing Skilling & Employment which included:-

• 2 days Aussie Host Customer Service Training (provided by Mamre)

• Sessions to prepare for On Line Applications and Assessment Tasks

• Assistance to complete On Line Assessment.

• Computer access for Coles Assessment.

• Group Interview practice session.

Coles Ropes Crossing opened in September 2008 employing 75 new staff from the local area.