North Coast Community College and North Coast Community Housing (NCCH) have developed a partnership agreement to offer NCCH tenants access to education and training opportunities. “Our mutual goal is to improve quality of life for local people through education and training”, said Narelle Millar, Executive Officer, North Coast Community College. We aim to empower students to participate in the community to their full potential.” “NCCH is more than just a good landlord” said NCCH Chief Executive Officer, John McKenna. “We believe in providing opportunity, supporting change and building positive neighbourhoods and communities. These types of programs allow us to work together with like-minded community organisations to help create a better future for our tenants”. The new program, Tenant Education and Skills Program (TESP), will enable NCCH clients to access training through the existing programs run by the college and the provision of subsidies by NCCH. This will be an additional commitment to the incentives for social housing tenants already provided by the NSW Government’s Smart and Skilled Scholarships “Our course program has something for everyone” said Mrs Millar, “whether it is training in technology for seniors, nationally recognised qualifications, Workskills or special interest courses”. The program is available to all NCCH housing tenants. It is envisaged TESP will help to alleviate social isolation – with participating tenants becoming more connected to their communities – and support overall health and wellbeing outcomes. Tenants interested in participating in the TESP are encouraged make contact with North Coast Community College to discuss relevant courses they may be interested in undertaking. North Coast Community College (Alstonville) ph: 6628 5426 (Yamba) ph: 6646 9094. Full college programme available to view online at www.northcoastcc.edu.au