KICKSTART TRAINING PROGRAM

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (15:30): My question is to be Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education. Can the minister tell the house what the government is doing to help young people make a start towards gaining an apprenticeship?

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Treasurer, Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education) (15:30): I would like to thank the member for Florey for her question—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: —and recognise in the house her commitment to the employment and training of young people, particularly through apprenticeships, in her electorate.

As members would be aware, young people who complete an apprenticeship, particularly in high demand trade areas, gain the skills and experience of a trade that will see them into successful and secure employment. I am pleased to inform the house that South Australia is now in the second phase of providing the $3.5 million pre-apprenticeship training program Kickstart.

The program is an initiative under the National Partnership Agreement on Pre-Apprenticeship Training between the Australian and South Australian governments. It will allow nine organisations to deliver 44 training courses providing over 500 pre-apprenticeship training opportunities in South Australia by June 2011.

The focus of this project is to increase the number of apprentices in areas of industry skill needs by providing pre-apprenticeship training opportunities and to accelerate apprenticeship completions through the recognition of prior learning and competencies. Currently, 354 participants have already commenced pre-apprenticeship training under the program, with 94 per cent of participants being under 25 years of age.

Members interjecting:

Ms BEDFORD: Point of order: I can't hear the answer and he is almost right beside me. If the others have something else to say, could they say it outside?

Ms Chapman interjecting:

Ms BEDFORD: You are not.

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Minister.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: Pre-apprenticeship training is delivered in high demand trade areas such as electro-technology, cooking, construction and wet trades, mechanical and fabrication engineering, including training to become a toolmaker, fitter and turner and sheet metal worker.

Mr Hamilton-Smith interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Waite!

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: The Kickstart program provides a great opportunity for school leavers to get a head start in a trades career and gain a better understanding of the training and work components of an apprenticeship.

An honourable member: Did you say Kickstart?

The SPEAKER: The member for Bragg!

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: Kickstart, yes; that is the program. I know that the member for Bragg would not have much familiarity with the apprenticeship area, but Kickstart is the name of the program.

These apprenticeship training opportunities are underpinned by mentoring and apprenticeship placement support to maximise the outcomes for students, governments and industry needs. Four courses will be delivered in the regional communities of Port Lincoln, Ceduna, Clare and Victor Harbor.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: This project complements the state government's commitment to invest $194 million over six years to create 100,000 new training positions, to boost the skills and qualifications of our workforce. We have also committed to modernising and renewing our vocational education and training sector with the release of our Skills for All reform program, to ensure South Australians have the skills needed for the future growth and existing new and emerging industries. I look forward to continuing to update the house once I hear more about the results of this innovative program.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Finniss! You are disgraceful today.