For nearly 40 years, The Centre has been providing quality education, training services and community development opportunities in North East Victoria and beyond.

Employer comments

One of The Centre’s clients is the Sundowner Parklake, Shepparton, Victoria. Since 2001 The Sundowner Parklake has supported more than 150 of their employees in gaining on-the-job qualifications in the areas of cookery, food and beverage, housekeeping and front office.

The executive manager of The Sundowner Parklake, Audrey Ash, attributes their training success to a combination of skilled Centre trainers, on-the-job peer and management support and the comprehensive, motivational Didasko resources.

Audrey says, ‘I have been impressed with the Didasko resources from the time they were first introduced. The effectiveness of the resources continues to motivate my staff in on-the-job training and development.

Trainee comments

Didasko’s flexible self-paced resources particularly support the training needs of employees. Patrick Carroll, food and beverage trainee at the Sundowner Parklake Motor Inn, says: ‘With the variety of shifts in a hospitality venue it is really good to be able to be in control of when and how I gain my qualification.

‘The way the resource is structured and the relevant material in the CD like photos, videos and case studies helps me relate what I am learning to what I do in my job. I use the CD as my major learning tool because I find it much more motivating. I like the language – it’s more understandable than reading a text book. I also like the challenges and the encouragement when I get it right.

‘I allow myself time to work through a whole unit from the CD and the following day I go into work early and set myself up in a quiet area and complete the worksheet for that unit. I have the text handy in case I need to refer back.

‘I have really good support from my trainer and it’s good to know that I can continue my learning with confidence in between our monthly visits when I hand in my worksheets and am assessed for my on-the-job skills. I am really happy with the way I am moving ahead.’

This winning combination of dedicated training and quality learning resources is helping to enhance training and career opportunities in regional Victoria.