Inner West Training Network

By Belle Hann, School of Volunteer Management

The Inner West Training Network provides information and training services to not-for-profit groups in Sydney’s Inner West. The recently formed network will ensure that training and information services across the Inner West are: accessible, affordable, appropriate and appealing.

"We want to promote what is actually available in the Inner West, and make training accessible and as affordable as possible" says network member, Michael Collisson.

Individuals and community groups in the Inner West can give and receive information on future training opportunities to the network. This process is coordinated by a core advisory committee, consisting of:

• Volunteer Network
• The School of Volunteer Management
• Inner West Neighbour Aid
• The Exodus Foundation
• STARS (Skills, Training & Resource Service) and
• Inner Western Circle
• Interested community members, including a volunteer website developer.

This advisory group will serve as a central point of communication about training and seminars, including lists of available venues, recommending trainers, and training resources (DVDs, books etc).

Powered by community involvement, the network takes a broad definition of the term "training" and is willing to include workshops, info sessions and other local events.

"It's not just formal training, we're happy to promote whatever is on the in the community- belly-dancing classes in Petersham for example" says Michael.

A key focus of the Inner West Training Network is to make training accessible. Flexible times and locations is one consideration, such as making sure sessions are wheel chair accessible. The network will also make training relevant to CALD (culturally and linguistic diverse) participants by providing information on bilingual trainers and material. And by taking a coordinated approach across community groups, the network hopes to explore ways to lower training costs and boost enrolments for training sessions.

Already, the network is receiving "expressions of interest" from local community groups and is keen to hear from other interested parties. Michael says, "If people have ideas, we are happy to listen to them".

Right now, the Inner West Training Network is getting ready to launch a new website that will include an online based training calendar. This calendar will allow not-for-profits to promote upcoming training sessions, and keep informed as to what training is going on in the local area.

Future goals of the committee include a yearly focus meeting to explore training issues, developing policy and guidelines for training groups and to encourage bi-lingual participation.

Meetings for the Inner West Training Network are held every three weeks. Interested parties are welcome to attend the next working-group session to be held on the 26 September, 10am at the Woodstock Community Centre, 22 Church St, Burwood. Not-for-profits in the Inner West area can send details of upcoming events to Michael at Michael.Collisson@burwood.nsw.gov.au