City of Greater Geelong, Victoria, has partnered with local training organisation DeakinCo. to deliver Occupational COVID-19 workplace training free to eligible local businesses as part of the City’s Business Support program.
Based on World Health Organisation guidelines and developed in partnership with industry experts and health professionals, the online program includes authoritative information on infectious-disease management for workplaces.
Aimed at assisting businesses to manage their return to work strategies safely and efficiently, the training is free for up to 20 employees with additional places available at a reduced rate.
The City is supporting Geelong businesses further with free expert help from Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) providers through its Geelong Business Support program.
The assistance includes workplace risk assessments, OHS compliance assistance and employer obligations.
Mayor, Stephanie Asher, said, “We want to support every Greater Geelong business with the tools they need to meet their obligations to keep their staff, their customers and the community safe.
“The inclusion of this training is a terrific addition to the suite of services already available through our Geelong Business Support package which has already proven popular with our local business community.
This training will help give community members confidence and peace of mind that the local businesses they interact with are operating in a COVID-safe manner.”
The program was co-authored by Deakin Medical School, Associate Professor, Dr Sandeep Reddy, former Public Health Advisor (infectious disease surveillance) with the World Health Organisation.
“It’s essential for all staff to be correctly trained in COVID-19 workplace best practice. We cannot assume that everybody has the same level of infection-control knowledge.”
Local business owner Bubba Pizza, Kerry Rau, “Once I did the training myself, I was hooked. I asked the staff if they would do it, and there was no hesitation.
Some of the training covered things I had implemented in store, but the beauty of the training was that it refreshed their understanding of COVID-19, as well as teaching things they didn’t know. They were pleased to see I printed their certificates and put them up in store.
