THE Harden Shire Council and the Harden District Education Foundation [HDEF] have signed a formal agreement to work in partnership to help meet the educational and future aspirations of the youth of the Harden Shire.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The HDEF has been in existence for 12 years and has made a significant contribution to the educational needs and aspirations of the youth of the shire.
During that period the HDEF has provided more than 300 scholarships and grants to young people to help provide learning experiences which encourages educational opportunities and career pathways.
HDEF president Charlotte Middleton says the foundation has already made a significant contribution to the community.
"Children who would not be able to attend preschool have been assisted, while primary and secondary students in the learning community have also, with the generous support of the Kruger Trust, had access to reading and maths programs," she said.
Students living in the shire have also had the opportunity to take part in an Outward Bound course and these life experiences would assist in their future endeavours.
Many students have also been helped on their way to successful graduate careers by the HDEF and students were now giving back by supporting the HDEF in its fund raising efforts.
The Harden Shire Council also has a strong commitment to youth in this community.
That approach was underpinned when the council introduced a program of having at least 10 per cent of its workforce targeted towards four-year apprenticeships and one-year traineeships. That program started five years ago and more than 17 young people have been through the program to date. This year six young people have been placed across various sections of council's workforce.
Under the Memorandum of Understanding the shire would make an annual contribution to the HDEF.
The council would also help the HDEF by providing assistance in helping it secure corporate sponsorship and government grants as well as assisting the HDEF in complying with all local, state and federal legislative requirements. Additionally, the council would provide the HDEF with access to its website so it could use it as a promotional tool and provide other ongoing support by mutual agreement.
Mayor Chris Manchester stated that he was extremely pleased to be joining forces with the HDEF to further the community's youth educational and employment opportunities as a whole of community approach.
He further stated that Harden was a resilient and supportive community and strongly believed in supporting the needs of its young people in a meaningful way.
