SKILLS STRATEGY

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (14:05): My question is to the Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education. What is the government doing to ensure that the education and training system is responsive to emerging industry skill demands?

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton—Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for Youth, Minister for Gambling) (14:06): I am pleased to inform the house that the Rann government has developed a skills strategy for the 21^st century, which I recently announced to a group of key stakeholders. As my colleagues on this side of the house know (and I know that the member for Goyder is aware of this), there are three strands to this strategy. The first is to do with the provision to government of high-level strategic advice on skills, training and workforce development. The second is to do with reforms to the state's VET sector—and TAFE, in particular; and the third is to do with the strengthened role of the state's nine industry skills boards.

This skills strategy for South Australia shifts the training system from one that is driven by the needs of the providers to one that is driven by the needs of industry, learners and the state economy. An important element in this strategy is for TAFE SA to increasingly take training to industry, enterprises and learners. That is why the strategy commits to 25 per cent of all vocational training to be delivered in the workplace by 2012—and we are already on the way.

Indeed, TAFE SA already has some excellent examples in place, and has had for many years in some areas. The Workplace Education Unit at TAFE SA Adelaide South is one such example. That unit has been delivering 95 per cent of its training in the workplace for the last 17 years. Last year alone, it provided specialist training in the workplace for about 2,800 employees. TAFE SA also delivers a significant amount of training in the workplace in regional areas, with examples in shearing, horticulture and viticulture.

Work-based training offers regional solutions when location and level of demand reduces study options for potential students. That is why TAFE SA now delivers the entire Diploma in Aquaculture in the workplace for six employees; two from Adelaide and four from Port Lincoln. TAFE SA is also working with a family therapy centre in Gawler Place, where it delivers a Certificate IV in Community Services Work. Students learn in a work environment. The theoretical component is provided through interactive e-learning, with assistance provided by TAFE lecturers on-site.

This delivery, which is possibly the first of its kind in Australia for community services and health training, has been so successful that in semester 2, 60 students will receive 100 per cent of their training through its integrated practice and theory model. This means that these students may never need to set foot in a conventional classroom.

Applied learning such as that in these examples provides opportunities for students to train in real work conditions and, as a consequence (and this is important), they are better prepared to make the transition from training to employment. We are in an exciting phase in increasing access to training and in maximising the benefit of government investment in the area of skills training. We are about providing skills in demand in the 21^st century.