Dyer’s Distribution’s is excited to have a practical and positive effect on regional economic development by partnering with the East Gippsland Community Foundation on their inaugural Business Scholarship Program in 2024.
The successful candidate will receive $5000 towards their study expenditure such as technology, tools, living/travel cost can be a recent VCE graduate, apprentice or mature-age student.
The scholarship is open to students studying business management, human resources, logistics or related fields.
The EGCF’s Business Scholarships program has been developed to increase the economic development of the East Gippsland region by:
– Building capacity for East Gippsland’s future workforce
– Funding qualifications + skill development of local residents
– Encouraging retention of skilled workers in local businesses
Participating businesses will assist in funding an East Gippsland resident’s tertiary education in a degree or training course that will directly assist the organisation with skill shortage requirements and build a lasting relationship with the region’s future workforce to ensure much-needed skills and expertise are retained in the region.
Kylie Board, Dyer’s business development manager, expressed the Business Scholarship program is exactly what Dyer’s have been looking for and the process with the East Gippsland Community Foundation has been informative, simple and collaborative.
“Firstly, the Business Scholarship program is good for the Gippsland community.
Retaining quality staff is critical to our success and so we focus on investing in the training and career development of young, regional residents, but also to the growth and development of all of our existing staff,” Ms Board said.
“I would encourage all local businesses to consider this mutually beneficial opportunity.”
Dyer’s Distribution is a fourth-generation family business local to the Gippsland region. With a strong focus on regional economic development, national expansion and maintaining a loyal, motivated and skilled employee cohort and culture, Dyer’s are one of the leading examples of organisational success across all aspects of business and community engagement in the region and nationally.
The career paths that employees can explore at Dyer’s are varied, with room to grow and progress.
Everything from transport and logistics to accounting, finance and business management.
Kylie started at Dyer’s when she was 15 years old in administration, quickly moving into payroll and bookkeeping.
Kylie was promoted to the administration manager role and spent a year in the operations team developing her knowledge of company logistics.
David Dyer, (director, Dyers Distribution) and the directors encourage movement within the organisation as it gives a practical understanding of how each area functions and how we can continue to improve operation across all areas of the organisation.
Kylie moved to Melbourne, working in other industries and spent time travelling internationally before being drawn back to Sale and into her current role.
“We have 550 staff across three states, but the company was established and continues to operate from our head offices in Sale,” Kylie said.
“Up-skilling locals of all ages contributes to growing and keeping expertise in Gippsland, directly impacts the success of Dyer’s and this EGCF Scholarship program facilitates such opportunities, making it so simple for our business and it’s not too late for others to get involved.”
Previous to establishing the Business Scholarship Program, the EGCF has funded two rounds of scholarships for East Gippsland student’s impacted by the Black Summer Bushfires.
The 2023 scholarship round saw 25 students across East Gippsland Black Summer Fire impacted communities share a total pool of $160,500 for post-secondary studies in 2023.
Matisse Daniel, EGCF Scholarship recipient noted: “I believe the East Gippsland Community Foundation easily identifies what the locals’ needs are because they are locals themselves.
“They’re going through the exact same thing. In 20-years time I hope (they) continue growing and continue to be supported by locals, and run by locals.
“Knowing what the peoples needs are (in) East Gippsland and make the community a better place.”
Arete Green-Crook, scholarship recipient and son of newly elected mayor, Councillor Tom Crook, said: “The students benefit directly, but it’s their families that have flow on benefits from (the scholarship).”
“We are very proud to be able to expand the role of the East Gippsland Community Foundation to not only assist fire recovery affected communities in East Gippsland, but to now be able to assist in economic development and ongoing sustainability within the region,” said Michelle Dowsett on behalf of herself and the volunteer board of directors.
Scholarship candidates are required to apply by 31 January, 2024.
