Norlane-based not-for-profit organisation Northern Futures has a new CEO, with Andrew Palmer replacing Lyn Morgan.
Northern Futures uses partnerships, education and employment to connect, support and advocate for people in the northern suburbs. It aims to help people find long-term sustainable employment and support them to keep it.
Andrew’s background is in adult education, including teaching English to international students and managing language schools. He also worked at The Gordon, Box Hill and Holmesglen TAFEs.
While working at The Gordon for 13 years, Andrew managed the Foundation Skills program and also created the Getting Ahead program for Northern Futures. He also used the time to develop valued community connections.
Andrew said: “I knew about the work of Northern Futures and how it significantly changes people’s lives. It means a lot to be able to support people into something better.”
“The (CEO) job came at the right time for me; I want to be in my community, making a difference. As the first leader of Northern Futures with an education and training background, I understand the pathways to work and the need for supporting and mentoring participants.”
Andrew said his first priority in the job was establishing stronger grassroots partnerships in the community. As a result, a Memorandum of Understanding with Cultura Training means that Northern Futures will deliver Certificate III in Early Childhood and Care, starting in July, at the Northern Futures site in Station Street, Norlane.
Andrew said the Northern Futures approach is to ‘reverse plan’ by talking to employers about their particular needs and creating courses that are current, relevant and provide every opportunity to help people into work at the end.
Current courses Introduction to Civil Construction and Certificate III Individual Support are examples of the model. “We have employers in those fields waiting for our graduates,” Andrew said.
“Our track record is that of the people who do a course with us and complete it, about 80 per cent will get a job. We walk with people from the day they come in our door, through showing them options, seeing their potential, through training, introductions to employers and support to make sure they have resources to be an independent worker.”
“Northern Futures’ mission to address disadvantage in the northern suburbs of Geelong. That can mean a lot of different things. We know we can improve employment outcomes with resilience, resources, confidence and employability.”
For more information about Northern Futures programs, phone 5277-3519.