16 June 2008

GRADUATES CELEBRATE!

Training partners Murrumbidgee Irrigation (MI) and Water Training Australia are pleased to announce the recent graduation last Friday of participants in the Frontline Management course.

Eight graduates from MI and Narrandera Shire Council (NSC) completed the program over two years including Andrew Pearson, Rick McKenzie, Vicki Maher, Lyn Williams (NSC employees) and Rod Emerson, Nick Vendrasco, Ross Carter and Jody Rudd (MI employees).

This group is the third to complete the two year course. In September 2007, nineteen people from two previous groups graduated. To-date the program has comprised of employees from MI, NSC, Leeton Shire Council and Leighton Holdings.

The majority of participants were eligible for Commonwealth funding arranged through the MEGT Australian Apprenticeship Centre.

Certificate IV in Business (Frontline Management) is recognised nationally and provides pathways to diploma and degree programs. Frontline Management training focuses on leadership, team effectiveness, occupational health and safety analysis and the development and implementation of operational plans.

Director of Water Training Australia, Mike Rankin advised that “developing leaders equips rural communities and organisations to deal with the challenges associated with changing environments.”

“The program takes a realistic perspective and aims to put things on the ground that makes a real difference to individuals, organizations and communities. We believe we have created and delivered a training experience that works for employers and employees,” Mr Rankin said.

The course was delivered at MI's Leeton office using a combination of workshops, study groups and individual tutorials to support individual learning needs. Further courses are planned to commence in February 2009. Interested parties should contact Suzanne Lawson at MI on 6953 0100 for further information.

Ends

For further info rmation regarding this media release, please contact Suzanne Lawson, Human Resources Coordinator, Murrumbidgee Irrigation on 02 6953 0100.