April 2009 e-newsletter

In this issue:

Economic statement highlights need to up-skill

The economic statement released at the end of March by the Economic Development Board (EDB) says South Australia is better placed than other states to emerge from the global downturn in a stronger economic position.

The statement says when recovery comes, South Australia is likely to out perform the national economy, with strong growth in defence and mining, together with major opportunities in other sectors.

EDB Chairman Bruce Carter said after nine months of extensive examination of the State’s economy, South Australia’s economic outlook remains positive.

He identified a central role for training and workforce development in positioning the State to make the most of the recovery when it comes.

“Even though times are getting tougher, now is the time to invest in our infrastructure and our workforce skills. We must use this time to train and re-skill our workforce to feed into our main industries,” Mr Carter said.

“We don’t know exactly when the international economy will recover, but we know that it will recover. And we believe that when growth returns, South Australia has every chance of outperforming the national economy.”

Key training and skills recommendations include:

  • taking up with the Commonwealth the potential shortfall in VET and higher education funding
  • embracing an ambitious employment participation target (the EDB suggests that the current rate of 73.8 per cent needs to be increased to 78.0 per cent)
  • better targeting our training effort towards those on the margins of the workforce (the EDB supports a review of the South Australia Works program)
  • develop a new plan to increase student interest in science and mathematics
  • build on our natural advantage in wind, solar and geothermal energy to establish SA as Australia's green state
  • restructuring the SA Centre for Innovation as SA's flagship of innovation.
     

Nominations for SA Training Awards open

The search for the State’s top vocational education and training students, employers, training providers, schools and businesses has begun. Nominations are now open for the 2009 South Australian Training Awards.

Employers, final year students, training providers, schools and enterprises who excel in training are invited to apply in one of two award categories:

Student Awards:

  • Apprentice of the Year
  • Trainee of the Year
  • Vocational Student of the Year
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students of the Year
  • Australian School-based Apprentice of the Year.

Enterprise Awards:

  • VET in Schools Excellence Award
  • SA Training Initiative of the Year
  • Large Training Provider of the Year
  • Small Training Provider of the Year
  • Employer of the Year.

The winners will be announced at the 2009 South Australian Training Awards gala dinner hosted by the Training and Skills Commission at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Friday 4 September 2009 and may have the opportunity to represent South Australia in the national awards in Canberra on 19 November 2009.

Nomination forms are available for download at the SA Training Awards website. For more information on the awards contact the SA Training Awards Coordinator on 8226 2335.

Nominations close on Friday 29 May 2009.

 

$67m investment from innovation fund

South Australia's reputation as an innovation and manufacturing powerhouse has been boosted with the announcement that investments worth $67 million and up to 450 jobs will be generated under the first round of the South Australia Innovation and Investment Fund.

The $15.4 million in funding was announced recently by Australian Innovation Minister Senator Kim Carr and SA Deputy Premier and Minister for Industry and Trade Kevin Foley.

The 10 grants announced, ranging from $366,000 to $3 million, will fund projects to establish and expand local manufacturing capabilities.

Projects include:

  • A complex analysis laboratory to service SA's growing minerals industry (Labanalysis Services – 109 jobs)
  • An aerospace and defence component machining facility – Aerospace Engineering SA (Broens Industries – 63 jobs)
  • Production of a world-leading bolt-on turbine technology designed to dramatically reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in new and existing car and truck fleets (Intex Holdings – 45 jobs)

The $40 million South Australia Innovation and Investment Fund was set up by the Australian and SA Government in response to the closure of Mitsubishi’s Tonsley Park assembly plant in March last year.

It includes $10 million for intensive assistance to retrenched workers and $30 million to support industry development.

Applications for the second round of the industry development program are open and must be received by the Australian Government Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research by 29 May 2009.

Information on how to apply is available at www.innovation.sa.gov.au or (03) 9268 7548.

 

Seeking corporate sponsorship for new TAFE SA Solar Car

TAFE SA's solar car Kelly was on display at the Clipsal 500 as part of a campaign to raise sponsorship to build a new car in time for the 2009 World Solar Challenge from 25-31 October 2009.

Teams are required to research, design and build vehicles capable of completing the 3000km journey from Darwin to Adelaide.

The goal is for TAFE SA in 2009 is to build the fastest car, with the best technology.

To achieve this goal a new car and the support of South Australian businesses and other sponsors willing to join us in providing bright young minds the opportunity to excel in the fields of engineering, physics, electrochemistry and mathematics. The new car will be called Solar Spirit.

There are sponsorship options (PDF 350KB) to suit all budgets. At the top end, naming rights sponsorship is available for $100,000 while at the other end of the scale individuals can sponsor the Solar Spirit by purchasing 'Watt Hours of Power' for as little as $4 for one hour. Solar Spirit will need 50,000 watt hours of power to travel from Darwin to Adelaide.

What about Kelly? Kelly has participated in the World Solar Challenge since 2001 and will still be there in 2009. This year a combined secondary school students team will have the chance of a life-time experience as part of the Kelly race team.

TAFE SA's participation with the Kelly team in 2009 is being managed by Energy Education Australia.

For more information about TAFE SA's solar car program or sponsoring Solar Spirit contact Gerry Paay gerry.paay@tafesa.edu.au on 8348 4355 or 0401 124 663.
 

$1.1m Drought apprenticeship retention boost 

The Drought Apprenticeship Retention Program (DARP) has been boosted by an additional $1.1 million as part of the State Government’s ongoing commitment to assist drought-affected communities.

In the last financial year the program assisted around 600 employers to retain approximately 1000 trainees and apprentices.

Eligible employers from the high priority drought-affected areas of Eyre Peninsula and the River Murray Corridor can now apply for a total of $1500 for each trainee and apprentice they retain through the allocated eligibility period.

The program is run by DFEEST's Traineeship and Apprenticeship Services, and funded by the Department of Primary Industries and Resources of South Australia.
 

Skills Recognition Services celebrate first birthday

The South Australia Works Skills Recognition Services recently celebrated its first year of operation promoting to employers the benefits of having skilled migrants in our workforce.

Although the primary focus of the services is to assist migrants and local South Australians with recognition and enhancement of their skills and qualifications, it also supports employers and businesses with their workforce needs.

Through the service, employers are gaining access to skilled workers who are ready and motivated to work. They also receive assistance in recognising the skills of their existing workers.

More than 1600 jobseekers, at various stages of their pathway to employment, have accessed the service since it opened last year.

Skills Recognition Services provide practical initiatives to link people with skills and jobs, and link employers with skilled people for their workforce.

The service, funded by the State Government, is free for employers and members of the public and is located at street-level in the MTAA Super Building, at 55 Currie Street, in Adelaide.

Employers seeking assistance in their business workforce needs can contact Skills Recognition Services on 1800 658 887 for further information.

 

TAFE SA courses to be delivered across China

TAFE SA courses are set to be delivered across the world’s biggest education market following an agreement between the State Government and the Chinese Ministry of Education.

Further Education Minister Michael O’Brien said a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed at a ceremony in Beijing recently, would result in significant opportunities for both China and South Australia.

“The agreement will set the framework for TAFE SA courses to be delivered by Chinese training provider Zhongqing TAFE,” Minister O’Brien said.

“This historic agreement will mean that students across China will have the opportunity to study TAFE SA courses, including nursing, automotive, business management and tourism.

“We were selected after other international systems were considered and now potentially millions of Chinese students will have access to a broad range of TAFE SA courses.

“The agreement will strengthen TAFE SA’s name as one of the best training providers in Australia and will lift its profile as a destination for students looking to continue their studies in Australia,” Minister O’Brien said.

TAFE SA’s expansion in the Asia region is part of South Australia’s Strategic Plan to double the State’s share of overseas students by 2014.

 

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