BRACE Education and Training released the following statement today: 

BRACE Education and Training is making changes to its service delivery in 2015 to adapt its business model to better position itself to respond to changes in the vocational training market.

BRACE has faced a decline in demand for a number of their accredited courses over the last three years, and have also been affected by reduced funding rates for many courses.

As a result, the organisation has made the difficult decision to narrow down the focus of their course delivery for 2015. 

The community based organisation recognise that this decision is critical to the successful continuation of high-quality skills development that is industry-partner driven.

From 2015 and onwards the organisation will focus on delivering accredited training using an industry partnership model that has proven successful for a number of years. This model delivers better employment outcomes for the students and responds well to industry demand.

“An example of industry partnership that we will be focusing on is our unique training partnership with Ballarat Health Services (BHS). We have partnered with BHS since 2004 to provide quality vocational training and assessment for Aged Care workers. This model has proven very effective and the relationship with BHS has continued to grow over the past 10 years, providing significant employment opportunities for local students,” says BRACE CEO Ms Cattermole.  

In addition to delivering a number of accredited courses, the organisation will continue to offer a range of pre-accredited options and foundation skills for learners who require additional support in order to undertake accredited training or as a first step back into education.

The reduction in programs offered will see a number of employees in the organisation’s regional and metropolitan office lose their job.

“We have had to make some tough decisions about where we are heading in the future as a community based adult education & training provider. Having to break the news to the staff affected was very difficult and my thoughts are with staff and their families,” says Ms Cattermole.

The organisation will work closely with existing students to ensure there is minimal impact on them and sufficient staffing will remain to support students over the next 12 months.

BRACE will be operating as 'business as usual’ for the remainder of 2014.

The strategic refocus for 2015 will ensure programs delivered address the changing needs of the local area.

“We will still be continuing to deliver a number of courses in 2015 and beyond. Our organisation has long served the local community and will continue to do so in the future by delivering courses that respond to community needs and the market demand,” says Ms Cattermole.