Hidden Treasure: Unearthing Aspirations and Mobilising Skills in a Neighbourhood Renewal Context

Thompson H¹*, McEachern S²*

1. Centre for Electronic Commerce and Communication, University of Ballarat, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia
2. Centre for Regional Innovation and Competitiveness, University of Ballarat, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia

Neighbourhood Renewal (NR) is led by the Office of Housing in the Department of Human Services (DHS) as part of the State Government’s Growing Victoria Together agenda to build more cohesive communities and reduce inequalities. It involves a whole-of-government response in partnership with local communities to better target State Government programs and initiatives.

The DHS has identified the opportunity to provide support for NR Employment and Learning Coordinators (ELCs) in conducting resident skills surveys (10–11 Renewal Areas in the first twelve months) This will help communities understand themselves better, gain valuable skills and empower residents to make better decisions about their neighbourhood’s future. Specifically, information about residents training requirements and employment aspirations will inform and direct ELCs to plan employment and training programs in their areas.

The University of Ballarat is working with DHS to deliver the Skills Survey Facility project by leveraging earlier work, particularly the community skills survey services which have been established to support the Wendouree West Community Renewal project and Ararat and District Asset Based Community Development project. This paper will explore the benefits which are being generated by combining traditional paper-based methodologies with web-based tools and services in a context where the ultimate goal is to support the economic and social health of communities

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