Kempsey students wise up on Alcohol thanks to Council and ETC

An exciting new initiative is currently being rolled out in Kempsey that hopes to curb alcohol abuse and increase employment prospects for young people at the same time.

All students in Years 11-12 from Kempsey’s five High Schools are being offered the opportunity to undertake a Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) Certificate at a heavily subsidised rate thanks to a partnership between Kempsey Shire Council and Enterprise & Training Company Limited (ETC).

Kempsey Shire Council’s Manager Community Relations said it’s an initiative you can’t go wrong with.

“We’re encouraging the 653 students to do the course and gain a qualification, but at the same time we’re also teaching them about the effects of alcohol,” Mr Warren Boadle said.

“The course is targeted at students in Years 11-12 because children at this age are the most vulnerable. They’re just stepping out in life and learning about drugs and alcohol. This course will certainly help better prepare them.”

Thirteen students from Macleay Vocational College were the first to benefit from the course.

“This is something that our students really value,” Macleay Vocational College Principal Mark Morrison said.

“Our students recognise that the opportunity to do this course is another ticket towards getting into the workplace.”

The initiative has the support of Kempsey Police’s Aboriginal Liaison Officer Greg Brown.

“I’d like to thank ETC and Council for giving Aboriginal kids the opportunity to do this course,” Mr Brown said.

“Lots of pubs and clubs in town are always looking for people so hopefully this course will help Aboriginal employment in the area.”

ETC’s Employment Services Manager Leeanne Stewart said ETC was pleased to contribute $15,000 towards the Council initiative as part of the ETC Community Support Fund.

“The ETC Community Support Fund is designed to help organisations improve the social and economic development of local communities,” Ms Stewart said.

“ETC is proud to be a not-for-profit company and we are confident the money we are donating towards this fantastic Council initiative will help make a more positive future for our community.

“Since 1989, ETC has placed over 51,000 Australians into jobs, trained more than 23,000 people, helped over 34,000 small businesses to start-up and grow, and contributed in excess of $25 million to the local communities in which we operate.”