TAFE GRADUATES

36 Mr GRIFFITHS (Goyder) (10 July 2007). Are there any development schemes in place that are likely to maintain or increase the proportion of TAFE graduates, who were unemployed prior to commencing training and who find work after completing training and if so, what are the details?

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton—Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for Youth, Minister for Gambling): Through South Australia Works, a number of programs support TAFE graduates, who were previously unemployed, to find employment.

South Australia Works programs target employment and training opportunities to people most disadvantaged in the labour market. Participants are supported through who are typically training and are then assisted into employment.

Many of the training opportunities offered through South Australia Works programs are delivered by TAFE SA and as such, on graduating from TAFE SA, these participants are helped into jobs. Examples of this include:

South Australia Works in the Regions projects, such as the Goal 100 project in Whyalla. This project supported people to undertake training in the heavy industry sector. To date 79 people have gained employment through participation in this project.

CareerStart SA, a South Australia Works in the Public Sector program, provides entry level traineeship, apprenticeship and cadetship opportunities for young people within the public and community services sectors. Those participants who are not offered ongoing employment on completion of their traineeship, apprenticeship or cadetship, can register with the Skills Register. Skills Register participants are provided with employment support for up to three years.

The Aboriginal Apprenticeship Program, under South Australia Works, supports unemployed Aboriginal people to move into trade based apprenticeships in the private sector. The majority of the 50 new apprentices employed each year through the program undertake their nationally recognised trade qualification with TAFE SA. The program provides extensive monitoring and support to both employers and employees for the full 3-4 year term of the contract of training, as well as post placement support on completion.

TAFE SA Regional Institute also has Multi-trade Pre Vocational courses specifically designed to create a pathway into the mining industry for remote and regional people. A part of this program has been customised for Aboriginal people.

The Aboriginal Access Centre (AAC) is offering courses in Port Augusta and Coober Pedy to assist students in gaining employability skills for work in the mining industry. The AAC state wide program is also developing a strategy to provide Aboriginal students with cadetships and traineeships, which is expected to provide students with avenues for employment in the health sector.

A number of Primary and Allied Industry subprograms within TAFE SA Regional have also conducted specific training initiatives, in partnership with regional groups, to address skill shortages. Specific examples include:

Barossa Seasonal Employment (2007) program. An SA Works in the Regions developed initiative in partnership with the Barossa and Light Development Board. It is designed to provide induction training in identified skill areas where skill shortages exist in the Barossa region, for example, warehousing, cellar operations and cellar retail.

SA Works Citrus Picking & Packing. A SA Works in the Regions initiative in partnership with Mission Australia, which is delivered in the Riverland. There were 28 participants (all unemployed) and the majority found work.

Three Workskills Training workshops have been conducted through the Port Pirie Internet Centre. Of the 24 participants who were unemployed and who completed the training workshops, 12 have found employment, 3 are undertaking further study and 2 are currently working as volunteers.

The Agricultural multiskills program achieved 8 employment outcomes.

TAFE SA Adelaide North is involved in the Learn2Earn program which began in 2004.

This year the Elizabeth and Port Adelaide campuses at TAFE SA Adelaide North are building two plate aluminium boats to support the shipbuilding industry.

In previous years, students who have been involved in the project have either gone directly into apprenticeships, into allied industries, continued with further education or have returned to school.

Students are actively encouraged to find employment within the industry whilst they are undertaking their studies. The Hospitality program, for example, invites industry to attend graduations, training restaurants and functions to enable direct approaches to students for potential employment.

TAFE SA Adelaide South aims to ensure that all students are meaningfully employed in a casual or part-time capacity prior to or near to graduating.

Hospitality Group Training (HGT) meet with Hospitality students to discuss potential opportunities for apprenticeships. This approach has achieved a number of full-time employment opportunities for cookery students.

The recent Dreams to Reality project with Hyatt Regency Adelaide was a joint initiative between Hyatt Regency Adelaide, SA WORKS and TAFE SA Adelaide South Hospitality Studies Program. The initiative provided training for up to 16 disadvantaged young people, with the aim of securing work after the program. Eleven participants completed the program and all students who were seeking work were offered apprenticeships with either Hyatt Regency Adelaide or HGT.

Close links with Industry mean that many employers a range of program areas register job vacancies with TAFE SA Adelaide South and Institute staff can recommend and introduce potential employees to employers. This provides work for students either on a full time or a part time basis.