A former Warracknabeal man has been appointed as Executive Officer of the Central Grampians Local Learning and Employment Network (CGLLEN).

Mr David Wheaton has spent the past six years working to improve employment opportunities in the Northern Territory where he held the position of Executive Officer of the NT Area Consultative Committee.

He grew up in Warracknabeal where he completed his secondary schooling before leaving for Melbourne to undertake a Bachelor of Business / Bachelor of Social Science double degree at Monash University.

Chairperson, Mr Chris Carthew, said the CGLLEN was delighted to have appointed someone with Mr Wheaton’s experience and background.

“David’s experience working with business and the community to generate opportunities for jobs, business success and economic growth was precisely what we were looking for in our founding Executive Officer,” Mr Carthew said.

Mr Wheaton said he was committed to the CGLLEN’s charter. This includes maximising education, training and employment opportunities for young people and facilitating links between providers and government that are more responsive to the needs of the local community and industry.

“Members of the CGLLEN have demonstrated a strong commitment to addressing areas of disadvantage in education, training and employment for young people. I am very pleased to have been given the opportunity to be a part of this,” Mr Wheaton said.”

The CGLLEN is one of a state-wide network of more than 30 Local Learning and Employment Networks funded by the Victorian Government. It draws together leaders from business, government and the community to account for all young people within the Shire of Northern Grampians and Rural City of Ararat so as to ensure that no young person falls through the cracks.

The CGLLEN is currently establishing an office in Stawell where Mr Wheaton will settle with his wife Sonja and their two children Alyssa 2 and Juliet 8 months.