member visit – benchmark college

In operation since 1998, Benchmark College, is now a well established niche RTO delivering a range of VET courses across four campuses with over 1000 students.

Its head office and main campus is based in the heart of Penrith with other strategic outer urban campuses at Tuggerah, Campbelltown and Liverpool, delivering qualifications that include the Diploma of Management, Diploma of Children’s Services, Certificate IV in Training & Assessment under the Productivity Places Program, Vet Fee Help, Traineeships and Access Programs.

Last week, NSW Member Support officer Sarah Rosen met with College Principal and Managing Director Philip Carroll, Client Manager Jason Sultana and Director of Education, Bridget Carroll. Through funding under PPP administered by the NSW Department of Education and Training, Benchmark is able to deliver training in skill shortage areas to local businesses, employees and jobseekers. Benchmark also delivers traineeships in business and management, children’s services, transport and logistics, retail, hospitality, asset maintenance cleaning and process manufacturing.

Benchmark also delivers customised on the job training for a range of employers and sectors. According to Philip Carroll, the ability to provide flexible work based training is important for employers wanting to up-skill their employees.

Under the Skilling Australia for the Future initiative, the Australian Government is funding PPP to deliver 711,000 qualification commencements over the next 5 years. These qualifications are focused on being industry relevant, ensuring that training is more responsive to the needs of businesses and participants. Half of the PPP allocation will be used to upgrade skills of existing workers and the other half to job seekers and recently retrenched workers. Such initiatives provide an opportunity for private providers such as Benchmark who have the experience, expertise and qualified staff to deliver quality qualifications to a wide range of applicants. In 2009, Benchmark was recognized for its outstanding quality and was the recipient of the NSW Training Awards small training provider of the year.

Under the Australian Apprenticeships Access Program, Benchmark has been able to assist many young job seekers looking to secure an apprenticeship or traineeship, pursue further education and training, and improve their employment options. The program provides support to students and is aimed at improving their work preparation skills and ensuring they are job ready.

Philip Carroll says that Benchmark is committed to establishing long term relationships with its learning partners. “These strategic partnerships with government agencies, clients, employment service providers, apprenticeship centres, local businesses and the community are key to our success in supporting our students and responding to demand.” he said.

For more information please go to the website www.benchmark.edu.au
 

Sarah Rosen, ACPET NSW, with Benchmark’s Mandy Dening, Quality Assurance Manager, Jason Sultana, Client Manager, Bridget Carroll, Director of Education and Philip Carroll, Managing Director.