Lost jobs drive rise in city trade classes

Jessica Benton
Geelong workers are hitting the books to overcome a spate of recent job losses, according to the city’s biggest training provider.
Gordon Institute of TAFE reported a surge in enrolments from people seeking to learn new skills for changes of careers.
The institute’s John Van Klaveren said more people than ever were enrolling in skills and training courses.
The new students were a mix of males and females of various ages, he said.
Gordon had received 500 registrations for its Skills Up program for people who had been made redundant.
Mr Van Klaveren said popular courses included construction, fork life driving, transport and information communications technology.
Specialist courses for people seeking self-employment were also popular, he said.
“Enrolments in these types of courses have more than doubled this year.”
Wayne Arnott told the Independent he had started an electrical testing and tagging business last month after accepting a redundancy package at Geelong’s Ford plant.
Mr Arnott used the package to complete an electrical testing certificate at the Gordon.
“I took the package at Ford when it was offered and then began looking at a few options and starting up my own business was one of them.”
Mr Arnott said setting up an independent business was the best option for someone of his “calibre”.
“At 57 it was very hard to get an employer who wanted to put on someone of my age,” he said.
“They prefer to put on the young kids.”
The Independent’s trade classified advertisements have also expanded with new businesses seeking clients.
Group classified advertising manager Kellie Fazzino said trade and services advertisements had jumped from an average of 89 in January to 116 adverts in June.
The Independent’s trade classified section covers building, carpet cleaning, electrical, plumbing, gardening, roofing, tiling and other businesses.