Highlights

DFEEST is a key contributor to the future of South Australia by providing services which benefit all its stakeholders – industry and commerce, students, employees, training institutions, the community and government.

Highlights from the 2007 DFEEST Annual Report are detailed below:

Awards

TAFE SA won the Large Training Provider of the Year in the 2007 South Australian Training Awards
South Australia Works in the Regions program won the Premier’s Award for the best public sector program
for building communities in South Australia
Safework SA Employee of the Year was awarded to Veronica Wilkey, a senior OHS&W consultant based at TAFE SA Whyalla campus
Satisfac TAFE SA Excellence Award for Educational Delivery Management was awarded to Noel Jensen, the coordinating lecturer in Children’s Services and Community Services at TAFE SA Gawler campus. Noel was recognised for his innovative work in the development of child care learning materials and his support of Indigenous cadetships in his training
programs
Barbara Workman, Manager of Youth Pathways and Partnerships at TAFE SA Regency campus won the Corporate and Education Services Award. Barbara’s leadership has fostered quality partnerships between TAFE SA and government, independent and Catholic education systems, with effective results for the students
Restaurant and Catering Australia, Fine Wine Partners and Henschke Lifetime Achiever Award was presented to Brian Lawes, Educational Manager at TAFE SA Regency campus, for his contribution to TAFE SA and the industry for more than 30 years
Australia Day Awards 2007, 33 employees were recognised for their outstanding service within the department in acknowledgement for their exemplary effort.

Our education and training achievements

Over 121,000 people participated in VET; almost 80,000 of these attended TAFE SA
There was a 2.3% increase in apprentice and trainee numbers over 2006 results
Nine % increase in commencements of apprenticeships and traineeships. National average was 4.8%
Apprentices and trainees completing qualifications rose by 18.4% against a national average of 3.7%
The percentage of satisfied employers who required vocational qualifications to meet job vacancy criteria increased over the 2005 figure by 18.5%
Total employment rose to 775,000 people, the ninth consecutive monthly rise to a new record level
The employment of student graduates and module completers increased by 2% over 2006 and also rated higher than national average
Launch of the TAFE SA Aboriginal Access Centre, an initiative to better meet the training needs of the Aboriginal community and industry
‘Abilities for All’ launched as a state-wide program involving a consortium of employers of people with a disability, modelled on the successful Bedford Industries program and offering accredited training for over 215 people in their workplace
TAFE SA Building and Construction Unit donated six roof constructions to the State Emergency Services (SES) for training and practical experience in working safely at heights and for simulating storm damage
TAFE SA Regency campus hosted several events during Tasting Australia, supporting the initiative promoting South Australia as a centre for food, wine and other beverages
Adelaide attracted almost 23,000 international students in the 10 months to October this year, a rise of 3,000 students on the same time last year, representing a 14.5% increase
TAFE SA recorded a 15.3% overall growth in International students demonstrating the commitment
to SA Strategic Plan target T1.16 ‘Double SA’s share of overseas students within 10 years’. The 894 international students in award courses and 203 English Language students studying through English Language Service (ELS) come from over 63 source countries
South Australia Works in the Regions Recognition and Achievement Award was presented to Create Your Future: Goal 100 as the most outstanding project in assisting unemployed people into training
and jobs
South Australia Works in the Regions supported employment and training initiatives for regions
affected by the drought. In the Riverland $200,000 has been re-allocated from 2007-08 funds to support drought related initiatives
South Australia Works for Indigenous People saw 11 Aboriginal apprentices graduate in a range of trades. The Aboriginal Apprenticeship program continues to enjoy great success in retaining apprentices and in achieving completions
A group of young unemployed South Australians have turned their dreams of becoming a chef into reality through a training opportunity. The teenagers took part in a joint $52,000 initiative undertaken by the Hyatt in partnership with the government, through its highly successful South Australia Works program and TAFE SA
Drought Apprenticeship Retention program (DARP) a $1.5 million program managed by Traineeship and Apprenticeship Services to assist employers in drought designated areas to retain their apprentices and trainees, delivered needed support
South Australia has won $1.2 million in Commonwealth funding for skills development in regional areas, the biggest share of any state or territory from a total of $4.1 million
‘Adult Learners’ Week in September was very successful. Government provided $1.8 million in grants to organisations across the State to run more than 80 activities in local communities. The Festival of Adult and Community Learning was a community-based opportunity for people to broaden their knowledge and skills
Through additional government funding to the Adult and Community Education (ACE) program, a further 8,500 South Australians increased their language, literacy, numeracy and employability skills over the year through involvement with 100 additional community-learning projects across the state.

Assets

Six hundred and sixty employees moved from five sites in the CBD to six floors of the 5 star energy rated City Central building at 11 Waymouth Street
Renewable Energy Centre of Excellence at TAFE SA Regency campus opened. This centre will provide tradespeople with the skills to install renewable energy systems
Diesel Emissions Training facility at TAFE SA O’Halloran Hill campus opened
$15 million redevelopment of the Veterinary and Applied Sciences Centre (VASC) completed
The programs delivered by VASC significantly underpin the primary industries, biotechnology and food production industries across the state
$1.75 million expansion of TAFE SA, Barossa Valley campus completed. The campus has been upgraded to meet the region’s growing skill needs in wine, viticulture, community services and health.

People

A Shared Business Services review commenced to meet our challenge of a more cost effective service to the community and is part of our goal to build a high performance organisation
Staff Survey attracted 50% response rate and provided valuable information in planning DFEEST’s future. The survey reports a committed and loyal workforce willing to work hard and see the department succeed
Reduction in the numbers and costs of new workers compensation claims reinforces the efforts undertaken
to enhance DFEEST’s commitment to providing all staff with a safe working environment
DFEEST Executive Leadership Program entered its third year with development work undertaken on a succession planning strategy to be launched in 2008
Planning for a revised emerging leaders leadership program for implementation in 2008 commenced.

Science and Innovation

Seven pivotal science research projects were awarded grants from the Premier’s Science and Research Fund
DFEEST was the major sponsor of National Science Week in South Australia. Over 60 events were held
Work was undertaken with the Chief Scientist and Defence SA to provide support for the
establishment of a new Defence Future Capability Technology Centre.

Higher Education

Assistance was provided to develop the University of Adelaide’s proposal to introduce a veterinary science program at Roseworthy campus
A 12.4 percent increase in Commonwealth funded places for 2008 resulted from support given to bids from the state’s universities.

Information Economy

Work of the Broadband SA team and key partners recognised following months of lobbying and negotiation in amending in the way the Australian Broadband Guarantee (ABG) is implemented. The outcome recognised the value of the state’s regional broadband projects which have been developed with strong community involvement
South Australian Broadband Research and Education Network (SABRE Net) linking the state’s major research and education sites was extended to include six TAFE SA campuses
Funding was provided under the National Skills Shortages Strategy to up skill employees in the Australian Digital Content Industry, mobile technology sector
Work was undertaken with the Department of Health on the use of broadband for population health and wellbeing and Defence SA in commissioning a telecommunications plan for the Maritime Skills Centre.

Workforce Development

Workforce Development Good Practice Project commenced - a joint initiative between DFEEST and Industry Skills Boards (ISBs), aims to promote the products, tools and models developed for use by all stakeholders made available through online technology and hard copy and funded in part by the DFEEST Workforce Development Fund (WDF)
Workforce Information Service (WIS) launched - an online tool to support better workforce planning provides the website presence for information on the ISB projects.

Quality

DFEEST led work resulting in an amendment to the Commonwealth Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000 enabling providers of international hospitality courses to increase overseas student enrolments and assist in achieving South Australia’s Strategic Plan target of doubling the state’s share of international student numbers
Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) 2007 came into operation in July. DFEEST led a working group of state and territory officials that developed these national outcomes based regulatory arrangements.

Youth

active8 Premier’s Youth Challenge provided over $500,000 in grants to 51 programs engaging over 1,100 young people
40 participants and 18 coordinators took part in the active8 Youth Voice Forum which encouraged continuing networking and further development of leadership, decision making and team building skills
Minister for Youth’s Leadership Grants again provided financial assistance for innovative projects for individuals aged 12-25 to promote the development of leadership skills
Two young South Australians as a result of funding support had the opportunity to take part in an international youth forum held in parallel to the Asia-Pacific conference
A Youth Parliament was again sponsored by the department and managed by the YMCA. It brings a diverse group of 100 young people together to learn about parliamentary process and is the only such event in Australia which lets young people use the chambers of Parliament House
Office for Youth delivered record numbers of Duke of Edinburgh award completions with nearly six hundred young people receiving their Bronze, Silver or Gold award
National Youth Week saw 15,000 young South Australians participate.

Marketing and International

Marketing and International focused on providing strategic insights to the business, ensuring key decisions were informed by quality market research. Notably, the TAFE SA Product Analysis undertaken provides the empirical basis for reviewing the range of programs offered throughout TAFE SA
Internal communication throughout DFEEST remained a priority with the online newsletter, InsideDFEEST, providing comprehensive weekly updates to staff. A program of 16 directorate themed seminars, titled Working Together, gave in-depth information to staff on the operations and priorities of each unit
Marketing and International led the highly successful competition and awards programs, WorldSkills and South Australian Training Awards, which identified outstanding South Australian individuals and businesses
to showcase at their respective national competitions in VET
A robust promotional schedule, including advertising, event and media opportunities was undertaken with positive results. A combined TAFE SA Open Day was conducted on 26 August at Adelaide City campus, and was well received as part of the Universities’ Open Day program
Considerable growth in International students studying at TAFE SA was achieved through successful implementation of Marketing and International’s Student Recruitment Plan, as well as product and service enhancements. Initiatives included a dedicated website for international students, revised pricing structure, innovative new product offerings and improved front-office service processes such as a new international student database.

See the DFEEST Strategic Plan which focuses on skills, workforce planning and innovation.