Access Australia Group launched its new training and education facility in Echuca on Tuesday, October 26.
AAG chief executive Liz March said the new facility met a demand for local training services in Echuca-Moama.
“AAG predominantly operate in Bendigo, and we’re a registered training organisation providing training in predominantly disability, aged care, early childhood programs, as well as short courses in barista training and first aid,” Ms March said.
“We’re also a disability organisation, providing social enterprises where we employ people with disabilities, and we run disability employment services as well.
“We’re extremely excited to open and launch our Echuca training centre.
“We found that we were coming up and (would) book conference rooms in the hotels around town to try and deliver some of the training, because the need was here.
“Over time we’ve found that need continue to increase, which has given us the opportunity to set up a hub where we’ve got training areas.
“We have aged-care beds and childcare spaces and others so people can do real ‘on-the-job’ training before they start working.”
The opening of the centre featured a Welcome to Country from Uncle Keith Hearn with his brother Uncle Stuart Hearn playing the didgeridoo, and a smoking ceremony to cleanse the new building, students and staff.
An artwork by Uncle Stuart is also a prominent feature in the building as the winner of a Traditional Owners art competition.
The work symbolises many of the core values and ambitions of the AAG training programs, and is reflective of the students’ learning processes.
Uncle Stuart also received a $1500 prize from AAG for his artwork.
The new centre will be providing training so that locals can stay in the area and undertake their training, rather than travel to Bendigo or Shepparton.
For more information about the AAG programs, visit aag.org.au