About Us

We have a vision of improved education, training and employment outcomes for young people in the Outer East of Melbourne.

Who We Are & What We Do

The Outer Eastern Local Learning & Employment Network (OELLEN) is a community organisation funded by the Victorian Government to develop networks with schools, employers, community and families, to empower and link disengaged and vulnerable youth to education, training,and employment pathways in the local government areas of Knox, Maroondah and Yarra Ranges. The OELLEN is also funded to deliver the Structured Workplace Learning (SWL) program in those three local government areas.The SWL funding enables OELLEN to engage with local employers to provide placements that are tailored to local priorities and employment opportunities.Partnering with local services is key to how OELLEN operates and we seek to serve the community by working with local services which improve the Region's economy and autonomy.

Our Key Strategies

1

Expansion

Broaden the applied learning opportunities available for students.
2

Assistance

Support schools with careers-related strategies.
3

Engagement

Support schools to engage with business and industry.

Our Team

Fiona Purcell

Chief Executive Officer

Fiona has been the Executive Officer of the OELLEN since it was established in 2002. She has had extensive experience working with local schools, TAFE, business and industry and community groups and has developed a wide range of partnerships to improve the education and career pathway options for young people in the Outer East.

Jasmine Mishra

Structured Workplace Learning Coordinator

Jasmine joined the OELLEN team in 2018 and has extensive experience in the employment services industry in training, case management and employer liaison. Jasmine has a Sales and Marketing background and a strong understanding of apprenticeships and traineeships from her time at a Group Training organisation.

Brooke Young

Partnership Broker

Brooke officially joined OELLEN in 2020 after first completing a student placement with us in 2019. Brooke has a background in stakeholder engagement and communications and spent 13 years in Management Consulting before retraining as a social worker and joining the OELLEN team. Brooke brings with her skills in communications, partnering across organisations and a passion for improving outcomes for the young people in Melbourne's outer east.

Sharon Neal

Structured Workplace Learning Team Leader

Sharon joined the OELLEN team in 2016 and has extensive experience from the employment services industry in training, case management and employer liaison. Possessing a background in Education, Sharon also has a working history in Sales and Marketing.

Matthew Tench

Structured Workplace Learning Coordinator

Matthew is the newest member of the OELLEN team, joining in 2021. Having a comprehensive background in the business and retail sector, Matthew has well over a decade of experience in management and partnership programs through multiple industries. Bridging the gap between business and youth employment has always been a focus and a passion for Matthew.

Deb Ceko

Office Manager

Debra joined OELLEN in 2015, bringing with her a broad range of experience in administrative roles in large government departments, before moving into small business office management roles. Before joining the OELLEN Debra worked in the Job Services sector, training groups of long term unemployed jobseekers.

oellen-logo-white.png

Outer Eastern Local Learning & Employment Network

Search