Paula Wriedt
Minister for Education
Lara Giddings
Minister for Economic Development

May 19, 2005

The Government has seized on the opportunity to implement a range of further initiatives aimed at addressing skills shortages in the 2005-06 State Budget.

A new commitment to skills of $15.8 million over four years brings the State Government's commitment to $40 million in just two Budgets.

Education Minister Paula Wriedt said that with Tasmania continuing to experience robust economic conditions, this has contributed to skills shortages in some areas that could constrain future economic growth.

"A new Skills for Growth package will directly address skill shortages which are currently impeding business and industry growth at a cost of $12.6 million over four years," Ms Wriedt said.

The initiatives include:

• Supporting Enterprise Development will enable the Institute of TAFE Tasmania to provide subsidised training to targeted industries to stimulate demand for training for existing employees;
• Skills Direct will provide short training programs to meet specific industry skill requirements, including those associated with the proposed pulp mill development and the Tasmanian Industry Development Plan;
• Trades Express is an accelerated trade recognition and training program for mature age Tasmanians and new workforce entrants in trade areas which are in demand in the Tasmanian economy;
• Training Outcomes for Migrants and Refugees will provide training to provide employment opportunities for migrants and refugees; and
• Apprentices and Trainees Travel will provide funding for the travel and accommodation of up to 800 extra trainees and apprentices each year to help them undertake more special training.

Economic Development Minister Lara Giddings said the State Government would continue to help businesses improve their capacity to attract and retain skilled labour.

Ms Giddings said businesses had responded positively to the Fast Track Skills initiative introduced in the last State Budget, which was being backed up with a further $500,000 in 2005-06.

Fast Track Skills gives businesses the opportunity to participate in business planning information sessions and workshops which present innovative ways of attracting new jobseekers and retaining skilled employees.

Ms Giddings said the State Government was also providing $250,000 in 2005-06 to continue the successful Partnership to Jobs program into the private sector.

The program targets disadvantaged jobseekers, including the long-term unemployed, to bring them into the workforce.

Until now, it had provided grant funding to community organisations to develop projects and enterprises but will now be expanded to support private sector initiatives.

"We will place particular emphasis on projects that create sustainable jobs, address employment-related infrastructure such as transport, and educate industry about the benefits of employing disadvantaged jobseekers."

Ms Wriedt said alleviating skills shortages remained a major focus for the Government.

"We are intensifying our efforts, using the education and training system as a major tool in the attack on skills shortages," she said.

"The Government will also continue to fund the implementation of the Government's post-compulsory education and training strategy – Tasmania: a State of Learning, with funding of $3.7 million in 2005-06, increasing to $7.9 million in 2007-08 for a range of initiatives, including:

• $1.2 million in 2005-06, increasing to $1.6 million in 2006-07, to TAFE Tasmania to increase the overall participation by Tasmanians in training to address training demand in a range of key areas and to generate increased participation by those from identified target groups;
• Continuation of Youth Learning Officers (YLOs) to work with students who have disengaged from education;
• Providing Pathways Planning and Transition Support to assist young people in high schools in making education and training choices beyond Year 10; and
• Establishing Area Taskforces to co-ordinate service delivery partnerships for young Tasmanian as they move from school to further education, training and employment.

Ms Wriedt said the Government had also provided funding of $2.75 million over four years to support training for the fishing, aquaculture and maritime industries following withdrawal of Australian Government funding for these areas previously provided through the Australian Maritime College.

"The successful Start@TAFE program will also continue, with funding of $300,000 per annum to re-engage early school leavers in meaningful training opportunities," she said.

Contact: Andrew Rhodes 6233 2305