Gforce was founded as the Geelong and District Group Apprentices in 1983. It was established as a not-for-profit Group Training Organisation with an initial purpose to address youth unemployment in the northern suburbs of Geelong through the provision of apprenticeships.
In 1993, Vaz Juchima as the Managing Director of Danum Engineering, was invited to join the Gforce Board. Mr Juchima as a passionate supporter of Vocational Education was able to utilise his experience as a Host Employer and prominent business leader to strategically grow and strengthen the Gforce company.
Mr Juchima recognised for his integrity and passion for the Vocational Education sector was invited to become Chair in September 2000, continuing as Chair until his retirement in October 2019. During his time as chair the company has been strategically growing to ensure ongoing sustainability and indeed has seen the net equity grow from $1.5m to in excess of $16m, with contributions provided back into the local community in excess of $4m since 1983.
Mr Juchima also provided a strong focus on the safety culture, ensuring the company supported all employees, especially focusing on our young employees undertaking their first work placement.
Gforce has grown from a Group Training Organisation to a company with a number of divisions to complement the long-standing Apprenticeship Services. The Employment Services Division incorporates, Disability Employment Service, ParentsNext, Transition to Work and Jobactive contracts with the Federal Government. The People@Work division delivers temporary and permanent recruitment services throughout Victoria.
Mr Juchima has held a number of significant roles in the Geelong Community, as a Company Director and held positions on other advisory committees that focus on supporting young people with a desire to move into trade careers. This ensured a continued focus on apprenticeships as an extremely worthwhile career. The company at its core has always had a strong focus on providing VET opportunities and Mr Juchima ensured that focus continued during his 26 years on the Gforce Board and will continue into the future with a company purpose “To place more people into more jobs”.