The current projects in this category are:

•  Career Development Centre Project 
•  Adelaide Hills Childcare Project
•  ShIFT (Shaping Individual Futures in Transport) Program
•  Volunteer Step Project 
•  Industry Partners Initiative
•  Business Administration Survey and Training Project 
•  Staff Retention (in the Health & Community Services Sector) Project
•  Aged Care Training Project
•  Hospitality Training Project
•  Retail Training Project

Career Development Centre (AH CDC) Project

The Career Development Centre Project provides Adelaide Hills residents with free, confidential career planning services and access to training where participants meet criteria in skill shortage areas.  These services will be particularly useful to:

• school leavers looking for direction;
• retrenched workers wanting better skills to find work;
• under/unemployed people wanting to put a career plan into action; and
• return to employment parents who are looking for a work-life balance.

Adelaide Hills residents can make appointments to access career planning services by telephoning 8391 1374 or by emailing admin@adelaidehills.com.au.

Adelaide Hills Childcare Project - Completed. See AH CDC for training options in childcare.

At the time of the 2001 Census, the Health & Community Services sector was the second largest employment sector for Adelaide Hills residents. Within this sector, the local childcare services industry was considered a target for a training and employment project, based upon the Region's demographics and the Commonwealth legislative changes directing more parents back to the workforce.

The Adelaide Hills Childcare Project was commenced with the purpose of determining the training and employment needs of the local childcare services industry, including both Long Daycare facilities and Out of School Hour Care (OSHC) centres.

The first phase of the Project has been completed with the majority of centres and facilities in the Region contributing to a research project that included an industry survey. The survey results and recommendations are contained in the Employment and Skills Issues in the Childcare Industry of the Adelaide Hills Region Report.  Click here to find out more information on this report.

The Project is nearing completion of its second phase with participants being assisted to gain a Diploma qualification in Children's Services or Out of School Hours Care.

For further information on the project, contact Johanna Milbank, Project Manager (email: jmilbank@adelaidehills.com.au or phone on 8391 1374).

If you wish to read what participants have said about the Project, please click here.

Shaping Individual Futures in Transport (ShIFT) Program - Completed. See AH CDC for training options in the Transport industry.

The ShIFT Program addresses industry succession planning in the transport and distribution sectors.  This Program has a focus on engaging people with a disability, however, it also provides opportunities for indigenous, young people and mature age persons.  It includes hands on skills training and provides opportunities to work within the industry.  

This Program won a 2005 SA Great Regional Award in the education and training category for the Adelaide Hills Region and is currently being adopted in other states.  To listen to some of the real life stories and/or to find out more information about the Program, you are encouraged to view the SHIFT website at www.shift.net.au.

Employ SA, in collaboration with Vtech Automotive Services, are currently running the Program.   Please contact Jacqui Shepherd at Employ SA on 1800 062 882 for further information.

Volunteer Step Project - On going

Volunteering builds confidence, social networks and self-esteem and exposes people to new challenges and job opportunities.

The Volunteer Step Project (operating through Hills Volunteering) commenced in September 2006 in response to a perceived need for a volunteer resource covering the Adelaide Hills Region.  The main aim of the Project is to assist those looking to use volunteering as a stepping stone to further education, employment or long term volunteering. The project works in conjunction with local employment agencies, jobseeker networks and community organisatons to identify community needs in order to place volunteers most appropriately. 

Hills Volunteering is funded by Adelaide Hills Regional Development through South Australia Works in the Regions, together with funding from Adelaide Hills Council, The Hut Community Centre and the District Council of Mount Barker and in kind support from tafeSA Mt Barker Campus. 

Esme Barrat is the Hills Volunteering Project Officer working out of The Hut Community Centre.  For further information, please contact Esme on 8339 4400 from Wednesday to Friday or email hillsvolunteering@thehut.org.au.

If you wish to read what participants have said about the Project, please click here.

Industry Partners Initiative - Now incorporated in the Adelaide Hills Career Development Centre  (AH CDC) Projects

In 2006, the Industry Partners Initiative was launched to link significant industry sectors in the Adelaide Hills region with local people looking for training and employment pathways. Significant regional industry sectors are identified in the Adelaide Hills Economic Perspective (Draft October 2007).

Adelaide Hills Regional Development (AHRD) frequently seeks proposals from Industry Representatives, Associations, Training Providers or Community Groups to work in partnership with industry to deliver skills and fufill employment needs in the region.  Benefits of this Initiative also include a training curriculum that responds directly to local industry needs and the forging of links between industry and community-based organisations. 

There are five current projects, under the auspices of the Industry Partners Initiative, providing training and employment pathways in the sectors of Business Administration, Health & Community Services, Mining, Hospitality and Retail.  

Business Administration Survey and Training Project - Completed. See AH CDC for training options in this area.

The Property and Business Services sector is defined as professional services including accountants, lawyers, financial planners, insurance brokers, mortgage brokers, architects, real estate agents and business advisors. This industry comprises 10.9% of employees residing in the Adelaide Hills region, making it the equal third largest employment sector for Adelaide Hills residents.

Stage 1 - Survey: Dynamic Project Delivery was engaged in mid June 2006 to survey businesses within the Business and Property Services sector with a view to determining this industry's training and employment needs.   The Report into the Business & Services Industry Sector was completed in February 2007.  If you would like to read a copy of the Report, please email Belinda Croser on bcroser@adelaidehills.com.au.

Stage 2 - Training: Following from the findings in the report, linked to potential future employment opportunities in the financial and office administration areas, Adelaide Hills Regional Development engaged Employ SA to deliver relevant training and assist people to find work in these areas.    This stage of the project will assist 24 participants to gain skills across a range of office-based disciplines and at varying skill levels.  For further information, please contact Employ SA on Free Call 1800 062 882.      

If you wish to read what participants have said about the Project, please click here.

 Staff Retention (in the Health & Community Services Sector) Project - Completed

The Health and Community Services Industry is the second largest employer of persons residing in the Adelaide Hills Region (12.1%) and recorded an increase in persons employed in this sector of 11.2% between the 1996 and 2001 Census'.  Workplace Information Services (Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology) has predicted this sector to grow between the period 2005-06 to 2010-11.

This Staff Retention Project (badged as "Develop Deploy Connect") commenced in December 2006 with the main aim of assisting organisations within the Health and Community Services sector:

• Develop an understanding of the world of work and the implications of change for their organisation.
• Identify current issues in their workplace which impact on retention.
• Develop strategies to address current issues.
• Develop a culture of career change development for all staff to enhance retention.
• Promote their organisation to potential new employees. 

If you would like to discuss the project in further detail, please contact Brenton Smith at tafeSA on ph: 8552 0207 or email: brenton.smith@tafesa.edu.au.

If you wish to read what participants have said about the Project, please click here.

Aged Care Training Project - Completed. See AH CDC for training options in this area.

The Aged Care Training Project was commenced in February 2008 with Equals International Pty Ltd as the sub-contractor.   

The project aims to provide people currently 'out of work, out of training and out of school' with the skills to gain work in the aged care industry.  As part of the Project , participants will be provided with the opportunity to undertake Certificate III in Aged Care and fulfill a work experience placement in the industry.

Enquiries can be directed to Marie Chittleborough on Ph: (08) 8110 1200 or Email: mchittleborough@equals.net.au.  

Hospitality Training Project - Completed. See AH CDC for training options in this area.

The Hospitality Training Project commenced in November 2007 as a partnership between Employment Options Inc and the Piltirilla Skills Centre (at Heathfield High School). This project aims to address the shortage of people with front-of-house hospitality skills in the Adelaide Hills area. The project will train 20 participants in the competencies for the Certificate II in Hospitality (Operations), comprising food and beverage service, bar skills, hygiene, Health and safety, and an additional module in preparation and service of espresso coffee.  Participants will complete a work placement and will receive job search skill training and assistance to access employment in the hospitality industry in the Adelaide Hills.

Enquiries can be directed to Employment Options on (08) 8398 2366.

Retail Training Project - Completed. See AH CDC for training options in this area.

The Retail Training Project commenced in October 2007 with Employ SA.  This project aims to provide participants with 50 accredited training hours, job searching techniques, a structured work experience placement and case management. Employ SA will also canvas a range of employment opportunities for participants, leading into the Christmas 2007 period.

Enquiries can be directed to Employ SA on 1800 062 882.