The MLMC Business Registry is an initiative that aims to help students find good quality, local businesses who are happy to provide them with the opportunity of a work placement. Every VCAL student has to do a VET work placement as part of their course. They spend three days at school, one day at TAFE (or equivalent) and one day at a work placement.

A strong network of local businesses is an invaluable resource for our current students who are trying find a work placement in a field that interests them. The arrangement benefits both parties. For the business owner, they will have a motivated student, who has an interest in the sector and a willingness to learn and get involved. The student benefits by getting an insider’s look at an industry, at a time when they are actively considering their careers and their lives beyond the College. Some of the fields in which our students are seeking work placements include: building and construction, health services, horticulture, floristry, beauty therapy, hospitality, mechanics, electricians, equine industries and more.

How you can support this initiative
If you think you can help please let us know. Simply email your expression of interest to afeher@mlmc.vic.edu.au or you can register online HERE.

Tyler Borg
Tyler has already been offered an apprenticeship for 2019 after impressing in his VCAL placement at Crossover Car Conversions in Ferntree Gully, where he has been involved in converting cars to right-hand drive, metal fabrication, painting and body profiling. Owner Craig Dean said that Tyler has "shown us he is very capable'. He explained that good tradespeople are few and far between and a "VCAL placement student is a good opportunity to see if they use their brain and have initiative.”

Carla Papanastasiou
Carla (the 2018 VCAL prefect) has been doing her work placement at Soul Pod Foods in Croydon South where she is learning the art of being a barista, food preparation and plating up as well as front of house customer service skills. Co-owner Adele McConnell said training young up-and-comers helped them "see things from a different perspective and to analyse our own processes and procedures" because a student brings “fresh eyes” to the business.

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