Lara Pugh, Project Leader Learning City for Wollongong City Council, NSW, Australia, a member of the Australian Learning Communities Network, is keen to learn about running a local learning festival. Lara recently interviewed members of the LearnWest Learning Network about how they went about organising their recent Learning for Earning Festival.

Lara noted that the LearnWest Network is a community of practice for both experienced and emerging Learning Community practitioners in the Western Metropolitan Region of Melbourne, Australia.

In response to the impact of COVID-19 on the local economy, the LearnWest network came together to host a learning festival that would inspire and empower individuals across six local government areas: Melton, Wyndham, Brimbank, Hobsons Bay, Moonee Valley and Maribyrnong.

LearnWest2021: Learning for Earning Festival comprised 30 online events from 27-29 May 2021 on Learning, Employment, Career Planning and Pathways, Industries, Business and Entrepreneurship and Skills. Here are some of the events that were hosted by LearnWest partners in government agencies, small businesses, non-government organisations and education:

• Online resume help for people aged 15-25
• Women of the West – turn your side hustle or big idea into a business
• Tips and tricks for navigating your career in changing times
• Victoria police – you are more suited than you think
• Career planning and pathways in early childhood

Lara is happy to be contacted about this article and the work she is doing in implementing the learning city concept in Wollongong (email: Lara Pugh [email protected])

Leone Wheeler

Hon. CEO, Australian Learning Communities Network