WA Ministerial Statement
Ministerial Statement - Read in Parliament
Portfolio: Training
I am pleased to provide an update on the ways in which Western Australia’s training sector is responding to employers and individuals adversely affected by the current economic downturn.
Today, Members may have noticed an advertisement on page 18 of The West Australian newspaper – the first of four appearing over the next four weeks.
The advertisements illustrate the coordinated approach being taken by the Department of Education and Training and its extensive network of training and other service providers who are available to assist both employers and employees in these uncertain times.
The first phone call in response to the advertisement was at nine o’clock this morning seeking the advice of the Department’s Career Development Centre.
This is the coordination centre and the first point of contact for people seeking career assistance and training information, and referral to additional services such as the State Government funded Employment Directions Network and ApprentiCentre.
Importantly, for people wishing to have their skills and experience formally recognised, the Career Development Centre recently became the shopfront for the Department’s skills recognition service.
Further assistance is provided through the Employment Directions Network, which has significant experience in offering personalised support to people who have been made redundant through business closures.
The Department provides $7.7million per annum to support the network, which consists of 24 not-for-profit community-based agencies strategically located throughout the State.
Employment Directions Network staff assist clients with career exploration through workshop activities and one-on-one guidance interviews, information on how to access employment and training information, work experience insurance cover, internet access and job search support.
The network also delivers the Profit from Experience program, which encompasses career information, advice and assistance to people over the age of 40 (over 35 for indigenous people) and includes up to $500 per person for training assistance.
The Department, through its ApprentiCentre, also offers support and assistance to apprentices, trainees and their employers affected by the business downturn.
ApprentiCentre staff are industry specialists who offer support, solutions, service and advice to employers and apprentices and trainees.
This co-ordinated response has already provided vital support to people who have been made redundant through business closures, including employees at BHP Nickel Mine in Ravensthorpe, Austal Ships in Henderson, Gunns Limited in Yarloop, Carrier Air Conditioning in Bentley, Harvey Beef at Harvey and HIsmelt in Kwinana.
This has been a great source of reassurance and support to those people affected in these very uncertain times.
The role that training plays is integral in building the State’s workforce participation, skills and productivity during this time of economic challenge and uncertainty.
TAFE colleges have joined together to make use of their intimate knowledge and close working relationships with local industry to create the TAFE Response Unit.
I have called on TAFE colleges to develop and implement this coordinated response to address the job losses that are occurring and to ensure that support is provided to employees to acquire training that will assist them to gain or retain employment.
The TAFE Response Unit will also provide assistance to employers to manage the effect of redundancies on their workers.
This mobile tactical response group will coordinate career planning guidance, support, recognition of prior learning (RPL) and industry consultations to HR departments, employers and employees.
Using the intimate knowledge and close working relationships that exist between local TAFE colleges, enterprise and industry, the TAFE Response Unit will be able to provide targeted and appropriate support in an immediate and responsive manner.
In order to be a single point of contact for those seeking assistance, the TAFE Response Unit will use TAFE and Department of Education and Training resources (ie: Career Development Centre, ApprentiCentre and Employment Directions Network) across the State to provide the required expertise in every situation, and will work with other Government agencies, community organisations and private training organisations where appropriate to provide a comprehensive support service.
The TAFE Response Unit will assist individuals seeking help by connecting them with the appropriate TAFE personnel that will best serve their needs.
The unit will respond to all requests for assistance within the first 24 hours of notice.
I am aware that many members will be fielding enquiries from constituents who have been affected in some way by the economic downturn.
As a consequence, I will be writing to all members next week enclosing a package of training support information which can be utilised in offices to assist with constituent enquiries.
Portfolio: Training
I am pleased to provide an update on the ways in which Western Australia’s training sector is responding to employers and individuals adversely affected by the current economic downturn.
Today, Members may have noticed an advertisement on page 18 of The West Australian newspaper – the first of four appearing over the next four weeks.
The advertisements illustrate the coordinated approach being taken by the Department of Education and Training and its extensive network of training and other service providers who are available to assist both employers and employees in these uncertain times.
The first phone call in response to the advertisement was at nine o’clock this morning seeking the advice of the Department’s Career Development Centre.
This is the coordination centre and the first point of contact for people seeking career assistance and training information, and referral to additional services such as the State Government funded Employment Directions Network and ApprentiCentre.
Importantly, for people wishing to have their skills and experience formally recognised, the Career Development Centre recently became the shopfront for the Department’s skills recognition service.
Further assistance is provided through the Employment Directions Network, which has significant experience in offering personalised support to people who have been made redundant through business closures.
The Department provides $7.7million per annum to support the network, which consists of 24 not-for-profit community-based agencies strategically located throughout the State.
Employment Directions Network staff assist clients with career exploration through workshop activities and one-on-one guidance interviews, information on how to access employment and training information, work experience insurance cover, internet access and job search support.
The network also delivers the Profit from Experience program, which encompasses career information, advice and assistance to people over the age of 40 (over 35 for indigenous people) and includes up to $500 per person for training assistance.
The Department, through its ApprentiCentre, also offers support and assistance to apprentices, trainees and their employers affected by the business downturn.
ApprentiCentre staff are industry specialists who offer support, solutions, service and advice to employers and apprentices and trainees.
This co-ordinated response has already provided vital support to people who have been made redundant through business closures, including employees at BHP Nickel Mine in Ravensthorpe, Austal Ships in Henderson, Gunns Limited in Yarloop, Carrier Air Conditioning in Bentley, Harvey Beef at Harvey and HIsmelt in Kwinana.
This has been a great source of reassurance and support to those people affected in these very uncertain times.
The role that training plays is integral in building the State’s workforce participation, skills and productivity during this time of economic challenge and uncertainty.
TAFE colleges have joined together to make use of their intimate knowledge and close working relationships with local industry to create the TAFE Response Unit.
I have called on TAFE colleges to develop and implement this coordinated response to address the job losses that are occurring and to ensure that support is provided to employees to acquire training that will assist them to gain or retain employment.
The TAFE Response Unit will also provide assistance to employers to manage the effect of redundancies on their workers.
This mobile tactical response group will coordinate career planning guidance, support, recognition of prior learning (RPL) and industry consultations to HR departments, employers and employees.
Using the intimate knowledge and close working relationships that exist between local TAFE colleges, enterprise and industry, the TAFE Response Unit will be able to provide targeted and appropriate support in an immediate and responsive manner.
In order to be a single point of contact for those seeking assistance, the TAFE Response Unit will use TAFE and Department of Education and Training resources (ie: Career Development Centre, ApprentiCentre and Employment Directions Network) across the State to provide the required expertise in every situation, and will work with other Government agencies, community organisations and private training organisations where appropriate to provide a comprehensive support service.
The TAFE Response Unit will assist individuals seeking help by connecting them with the appropriate TAFE personnel that will best serve their needs.
The unit will respond to all requests for assistance within the first 24 hours of notice.
I am aware that many members will be fielding enquiries from constituents who have been affected in some way by the economic downturn.
As a consequence, I will be writing to all members next week enclosing a package of training support information which can be utilised in offices to assist with constituent enquiries.
posted by Adult Learning Australia
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9:38 AM
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