May 2010 e-newsletter
In this issue:
A skilled workforce is critical to the growth of the economy and to the ongoing success of your business.
There have been significant reforms and funding announcements in relation to skills announced in the Commonwealth Budget and by the State Government so if you are concerned about future workforce development issues in your firm or industry sector you should consider attending the 2010 Training, Skills and Jobs Forum: building the workforce to meet tomorrow's labour challenges on Wednesday, 2 June 2010.
Committee for the Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) and the Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology (DFEEST) present the half-day seminar from 9.30 am to 2 pm at the Intercontinental Adelaide.
The forum will give you the opportunity to gain fresh insights into key workplace, organisational development and productivity issues and join the discussion on strategies and solutions for building resilient and skilled workforces.
Speakers include:
Hon Jack Snelling MP
Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education
Emeritus Professor Denise Bradley AC
Chair, Training and Skills Commission
Professor Kosta Mavromaras
Director, National Institute of Labour Studies (NILS)
Dr Lynn Arnold AO
CEO, Anglicare
Miriam Silva
Commercial Operations General Manager, Elders
Ian Stone
Managing Director, RAA
Professor Michael Barber
Vice Chancellor and President, Flinders University
Raymond Garrand
Chief Executive, DFEEST
To register visit the CEDA events registration website
For more information visit the CEDA events details website
Registration fees (including GST):
CEDA Members and Guests
$270 per person
$2000 corporate table x 8
$2,500 corporate table x 10
Non Members
$370 per person
$2,800 corporate table x 8
$3,500 corporate table x 10
Premier appoints new Minister
Following the State election held in March this year, Premier Mike Rann appointed the Hon Jack Snelling, the Member for Playford, as the new Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education and Minister for Science and Information Economy. Minister Snelling has substantial parliamentary experience as the former Speaker of the House.
State election industry and jobs promises
During the election the Labor Party made a number of promises directly affecting industry, training and employment.
The most significant of these was the Jobs Strategy to create 100,000 new jobs over the next six years supported by 100,000 additional training places; and the abolition of payroll tax for apprentices and trainees.
Delivering these two commitments will result in additional training funds of around $120 million over the next four years and savings to employers from tax exemptions for taking on apprentices and trainees of around $104 million over the next four years.
Together they represent one of the most significant funding commitments ever, in support of training and apprenticeships in this State.
A central feature of the 2010 Federal Budget is a $660 million investment in skills and training under the Investing in Skills for Sustainable Growth package.
This is welcome additional investment that builds on the State Government’s Skills for All agenda through the implementation of the Skills Strategy for South Australia’s Future.
South Australia could benefit by around $49 million over four years, or $12 million per annum if we receive our population share. Much of the new funding will be contestable.
The budget increases investment in VET training and foundation skills and provides incentive funding for Vocational Education and Training (VET) system reform at both the State and the provider level. The $660 million commitment includes:
- $243 million over the next four years for reforms to Australia’s VET system
- $300 million over the next four years for the Skills for Recovery program targeting skill shortage hot spots
- $120 million to boost adult language, literacy and numeracy skills.
For more information about these budget initiatives you can visit the DEEWR website.
South Australia has won three gold medals for a total of seven medals at the biennial WorldSkills Australia National Competitions held in Brisbane recently.
Adelaide’s Matthew Thorpe in retail baking – bread, Ben Plummer in signcraft and Mount Gambier’s Sarah Diegmann in business services were deemed the best in Australia in their respective trade areas.
The success of the South Australian team shows the high quality vocational education and training (VET) available in South Australia, particularly at TAFE SA, where all our medallists were trained.
SA’s team of 39 included 24 competitors from the Adelaide region, 12 from the South East and three from the Spencer Gulf, who all won through to the Nationals in their respective regional competition during 2009.
The three day event attracted more than 500 competitors aged 24 and under from around Australia, to vie for gold, silver and bronze medals and the national title.
Competitors were judged against national and international benchmarks, training packages and employability competencies.
Eligible Gold medallists will now advance to the 41st International WorldSkills Competition to be held in London in 2011.
The State and Federal Governments have committed $5.7 million to support Bridgestone workers with their job search and training following the closure of the Salisbury tyre factory.
In addition, the State Government, through South Australia Works will continue to support Bridgestone workers for up to six months from the closure date.
The Salisbury plant closed its doors on 30 April with the loss of 600 jobs.
So far, workers have accessed over 16,000 hours of training, which has been supported through Bridgestone, the State and Federal Governments.
As a result, more than 200 qualifications will soon be issued to Bridgestone workers, increasing their future employment prospects.