Bellarine Training and Community Hub closure leaves Ocean Grove locals stunned
The shock closure of a Bellarine training organisation has left staff and students in the lurch for future employment.
Staff and visitors to the Bellarine Training and Community Hub have been left reeling by its shock closure this week.
On Wednesday, a number of educators and students arriving at the registered training organisation in Ocean Grove were greeted by men in suits.
It was the administrators, who had come to inform them the business was insolvent and winding up immediately.
While the youth group that took place at the community hub was saved at the eleventh hour, the training courses were not.
Carla Sheppard was completing Cert III courses in aged care and disability at the only Registered Training Organisation (RTO) on the Bellarine Peninsula.
She was trying to get back into the workforce after being a stay at home mum – now, that dream is on hold.
“There are 80 plus students that are in the dark, as well as the trainers, and it’s disappointing.”
“It doesn’t seem fair, I’m in a bit of shock.”
Ms Sheppard said trainers were given a two day deadline to complete a mountain of work and make sure course participants had something to show for their efforts.
“They are working tirelessly to try and get our paperwork up to some kind of resolution so we can find another RTO and complete the rest of our studies elsewhere.”
“The trainers are really upset and trying to do the best they can.”
The discontinuation of the programs is a massive loss for the region because of how the courses – which cover mental health, disability, and aged care – could be reinvested, Ms Sheppard said.
“It’s a really high demand industry [healthcare] and an important one for our community.”
“The skills that locals can acquire through these training centres are going to go back into the community.”
However, BTACH outlined a “significant slowdown” in enrolments for accredited training courses over the last two years, according to its 2024 annual report.
“Anecdotal feedback from many prospective students has been the cost of living leaves them unable to forgo shifts at work and career change is not possible at the moment,” it said.
“This has been a common theme throughout the industry with many RTO’s struggling to meet financial commitments due to decreased demand.”
The business posted losses of $322,000 in the 2024 financial year, which was the second year in a row it recorded a deficit of over $100,000.
Insolvency expert Ben te Wierik of BTW Advisory was appointed administrator on Tuesday.
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Originally published as Bellarine Training and Community Hub closure leaves Ocean Grove locals stunned
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