The Central Grampians Local Learning and Employment Network announced today that Diamond House proprietor Mr James Ackland has won a luxury weekend for two at the Mercure Grand Hotel in the heart of Melbourne.

Executive Officer, David Wheaton, said the Network had offered the weekend away as part of a promotional campaign to encourage employers to offer workplacements to local students.

“Around 900 employers were given the opportunity to win by registering to offer workplacements to local VCAL students.” Mr Wheaton said.

In congratulating the winner, Mr Wheaton also thanked the many employers who registered and therefore recognised the need to skill young people with the practical skills they need to succeed in the workplace.

“Unlike the VCE, which is widely used as a pathway to university, students who do the VCAL (Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning) are more likely to go straight into the workplace after completing Year 12.” Mr Wheaton said.

Mr Wheaton said the VCAL is based upon providing practical, skills-based-learning and industry experience to Year 11 and 12 students. The work placement element of the VCAL also gives employers and students a chance to test the waters.

“By getting a taste of what a job is all about before they take on an apprenticeship or traineeship, they won't waste an employers time and money training for a few months only to discover they don't like it.” Mr Wheaton said.

Mr Wheaton said the VCAL could also help to keep rural towns vibrant and sustainable by reducing the number of young people leaving for urban centres.

“The more work placements we can provide locally, the more options young people have to consider when weighing up what they want to do when they leave school.”