The North West Program Management training is underway.

Specifically designed for community focused leaders on the north-west, the Project Management Course is supporting participants to build capacity for key community projects and initiatives. The program is delivered by the University of Tasmania with funding support from the Tasmania Community Fund with support from the Local Government Association of Tasmania and the Institute of Project Management.

Participants will receive a Certificate IV in Project Management whilst also receiving additional wrap around training on program management.

Somerset resident Amanda McCall is among the group of 12 people enrolled in the course.

“I am involved in a number of different community groups including the Friends of Burnie Penguins and the Burnie Community Gardens and I often see a lot of potential that is not necessarily being tapped into,” she said.

“Communities across the north-west coast have a lot of passion and some really great ideas but it can be hard to know where to go from there and how to transform an idea into an actual project.”

Amanda said the course is helping her to build confidence.

“I have enrolled in other courses before but what really makes this course stand out is the face-to-face component,” she said.

“On the north-west coast education opportunities can be limited and they are often offered online, so being able to go and talk with real people face-to-face is so exciting.

“I feel really lucky to have a course like this on offer so close to home that is designed specifically for people working and volunteering in the north-west community.

“I really believe this course will not only benefit the course participants but the wider community.”

TCF Board Member Alex McKenzie said it is important that local communities have the capacity to deliver on their own ideas and solutions to complex local issues.

“Having people in local communities with project management skills will mean that ideas can be implemented locally with people who already have networks in those communities,” he said.

“A lot of project management training is focused on infrastructure projects, whereas this particular course is really targeted at program delivery – working with people to change behaviors, cultures to really deliver on key community initiatives.”

Delivered over a seven-month period across the north-west coast the content, presenters and activities included in the distribution of this program are practical and future focused.

“The TCF recognises the need for these skills in the community and understands that sometimes the cost of training can be prohibitive, so we are really excited that all enrolled are receiving the training for free,” Mr McKenzie said.

“We know that the return to the community will come through the people participating in the program by providing opportunities to others and actually implementing programs within their local community.”