A new conservation partnership has created 12 temporary Geelong jobs as part of the Working for Victoria initiative.
Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA) hired and “upskilled” the 12 new employees in partnership with Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CCMA).
CVA is based out of Geelong and focuses on protecting threatened species, biodiversity, river health, and improving local coastal environments.
About half the work was done in partnership with local Landcare networks, and the crews played an important role in filling COVID-19-induced gaps in work normally completed by volunteers.
Under the partnership, $4000 went towards training each employee, including various tickets and licenses such as chainsaw operation, chemical operations, traffic management, defensive driving and first aid.
Five crew members have gone on to seek employment in the environmental sector from agencies such as Parks Victoria, CVA, CCMA and Gully Tree Fernery.
“We are proud of our partnership with CVA and delighted with the achievements made by all Working for Victoria crew members,” CCMA chief executive John Riddiford said.
“But most particularly, we are proud to have been able to provide the opportunity for people who lost their incomes and livelihood to be actively employed in a period of crisis.
“The work done will support future conservation works and our community, leaving a lasting legacy in the region.”
CVA’s Simon Schwartz was “thrilled” to “provide people with their entry into the industry, significantly upskilled and ready for jobs”.
“One of the most important things to come out of this partnership was the ability to provide training to all crew members so that they were equipped to find employment in the environmental sector,” he said.
