Training and events

Are you looking for work, thinking about study, considering a career change, or want to give back through volunteering? This event is for you.

The Training and Skills Fair - Central Victoria brings together more than 30 exhibitors under one roof at the Castlemaine Town Hall. In a single morning, you can speak directly with training providers, employers, employment services, and community organisations working across our region.

Discover training and skill development pathways in:

• Health and Care - including aged care, disability, community health, and NDIS pathways
• Construction and Trades - apprenticeships, local employers, and industry training
• Courses and Study - short courses, vocational qualifications, TAFE, and university pathways
• Volunteering - how to develop skills, get involved and give back to your community

Register to attend

Business Victoria offers free online business advice sessions to help you start or grow your small business.

Available Monday to Friday, the one-on-one sessions with a business expert will provide information on your business idea or how to grow your existing business.

Visit the Business Victoria website for more information and to book sessions. 

The ATO runs an online learning platform offering free courses to help small business owners master their tax and super obligations.

The 'Essentials to strengthen your small business' website includes more than 20 short courses and a calendar of key lodgment due dates to support small businesses.

Topics include:

• Claiming small business tax deductions
• Record keeping
• Goods and services tax (GST)
• Using your business money and assets
• Growing your small business

Visit the ATO website for more information. 

Business Victoria's small business bus stops at locations across the Mount Alexander Shire to offer advice and support to local businesses.

Keep your eye on this page or Council's Facebook page for the upcoming times and dates.

Beyond Blue’s NewAccess for Small Business Owners (NASBO) is a guided self-help mental health coaching program. 

Over 6 sessions, your mental health coach will work with you to manage stress and overwhelm using straightforward problem-solving approaches.  All mental health coaches are specially trained and have a small business background so they understand your unique challenges.

It’s free, confidential and convenient. Available nationally by phone or video call, no GP referral is required.

Head to the Beyond Blue website for more details.

The Mount Alexander Business Awards is a biennial program that showcases, publicly acknowledges, and celebrates the achievements of our local businesses. The most recent awards program was held in 2025.

Find out more on our Business Awards page.