Mayor Ross Hine welcomed the gathering and outlined the history of the Partnership Agreement with State Government which set in place the Circular Head Education & Training Consultative Committee to implement the goals and community activities that will increase participation and retention informal education, training and employment. He was delighted to have the new facility being used for the beginning of community forums that will be conducted by the Change Leader to create networks and encourage partnerships between business and education.

Mr. Bob Wilson from Classic Foods spoke on the pressure of business to cope with auditing from the global perspective, creating awareness that business and industry are the wealth generators for a strong community and the need for training programs in partnership with education that encourage employers and employees with a broad enough outlook and the state of mind to change and be accountable for their actions and opportunities.

Mr. David Templeton, North West Principal Leader of Essential Learnings Framework gave a broad overview of education for the next century with the emphasis on the new ways students will be encouraged and supported to participate, relate, think, know and understand, to act ethically, create purposeful futures and live full and healthy lives.

Mr. Jeff Triffitt, Co-Coordinating Principal of the C.H. Cluster spoke on the Atelier Report which brings down new structures for education in 2005 and the forums to be conducted by the educators in 2005 Deborah Winton, Pathways Officer S.H.S presented the challenges of the Year 10 students and their experiences with Work Experience, the VET program and Science in action in the field with the cooperation UTas and Woolnorth.

Melissa Barnes, Hair Consultant with Smithton Haircare, who spoke of her journey, is an excellent example of Pathways from School into her chosen vocation and the in-house and ongoing training programs in action as is.Meredith Gracie, Administration Manager, Classic Foods who briefed on her pathway from Smithton High, through studies at Glenormiston Agricultural College to her position with a leading global business and her encouragement of youth to continue with their education and training. Tim Ritchie B&E reiterated the need for training and the understanding required from educators and employers to work in partnership for our future economic growth not just locally but globally.

The feed back from the attendees to the Change Leader has been encouraging as forums will be ongoing in 2005 with industry and education and the community at large with the need for issues to be fully discussed and debated. Plans are underway to action some of the requests from both the Connecting Women forum and the Mayor's Breakfast so watch this space and check the Council web site

Wendy Schoenmaker,
Change Leader. Ph. 6452 4800 email: wschoenmaker@circularhead.tas.gov.au