Graduates ready to strengthen Tasmanian communities

Twenty-three participants from across the state have graduated from a project management course designed specifically for people who work or volunteer in Tasmania’s community sector with a particular focus on rural and regional Tasmania.

Funded by the TCF, the Certificate IV Project Management training was delivered by the University of Tasmania and Link Education and has been developed with the Local Government Association of Tasmania.

A Launceston ceremony saw nine students graduate while the southern graduation involved 14 participants.

A survey of participants showed that the course had inspired them to explore opportunities for the community and make them come true.

“I'll appreciate this course more and more as time goes on and I implement my learnings,” one participant said.

“It has confirmed that I am doing many things in accordance with program management, but I have also learnt so much that will enrich my management of projects and in particular team leadership,” another said.

“The knowledge and skills acquired prepares me for the next challenge in my workplace project which is scaling it up,” said a third participant.

Course leaders Cherie Hawkins and Melissa Finnen said the participants were motivated, community-minded and passionate about supporting positive changes through active learning and designing projects to make a difference.

“Their commitment to the course and their chosen projects, which focused on creatively solving a problem or introducing an initiative in a local community, was outstanding and it was a pleasure working with them all,” Ms Hawkins said.

“It was heartening to work with and see a group of dedicated and enthusiastic participants fully commit to the course as they tackled a local issue through a community-based project that they felt would make a genuine positive impact,” Ms Finnen said.

“The outcomes of their efforts not only showcased their academic growth but underscored their profound sense of citizenship and participants truly embodied the spirit of community engagement and empowerment.”

TCF chair Sally Darke said it was important that local communities had 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,” she said.

“A lot of project management training is focused on infrastructure projects, whereas these courses focused on program delivery – and worked with people to change behaviours, cultures and deliver on key community initiatives.

“It was great to see the diversity and level of engagement from all participants in this program.

“I congratulate all the participants for their success. They are now better equipped to design and facilitate programs that will meet the needs of their local communities.”