CAREER CHOICES

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (15:15): My question is to the Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills. Can the minister inform the house about resources that are available to assist young South Australians to investigate vocational education and training, further education and higher education options, to assist them to plan their future career choices?

The Hon. T.R. KENYON (Newland—Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for Recreation and Sport) (15:15): I thank the member for Florey for her question. She is a well-known advocate for training and a long-term advocate for training. The latest edition of the annual Career Choices booklet was recently released to assist South Australians investigate learning and training options and the pathways to occupations in various industries. The Career Choices booklet is particularly designed for young South Australians to identify vocational education and training, further education and higher education options, to assist them to plan their future careers.

Career Choices is widely distributed. It is sent to all secondary schools—both government and independent—and is also distributed to TAFE SA campuses, education and training organisations and universities, as well as the wide range of employment services across South Australia. These include Job Services Australia, career development centres, apprenticeship and trainee services, Aboriginal services, migrant services, community centres and youth services. Career Choices is arranged into 32 key industry sectors of the economy and includes:

information about employment prospects, including expected new jobs and replacement jobs in South Australia and the regions where these jobs are likely to be located;

top occupations, based upon expected demand;

qualifications available as part of the training guarantee for SACE students;

vocational education and training courses;

university courses;

occupations in the industry;

occupations in similar industries; and

where further information can be found on jobs in an industry.

Career Choices also includes useful websites for information on training and learning and career opportunities. South Australians can also contact the Skills Infoline on 1800 506 266 or visit www.skills.sa.gov.au for further information and advice.

The state government's Skills for All reforms that are being rolled out across the state will help more South Australians enter vocational education and training and further education, to gain the qualifications needed for jobs now and into the future. From July this year, certificate I and II courses, along with a range of foundation courses and priority causes, will be available free. The state government will continue to heavily subsidise certificate III and IV courses, and diploma and advanced diploma courses will have access to a HECS-style loan arrangement, making sure that students face no up-front fees in these courses.

The state government's Skills for All reforms recognise that vocational education and training, further education and skills development is essential to assist young South Australians to fulfil their career aspirations. The Skills for All reforms also recognise that increasing the number of South Australians completing vocational education and training and further education will help raise the skills level of business and industry. The state government's Skills for All reforms will encourage more South Australians into learning and training, so they can reach their full potential and get their fair share of the expected benefits of the mining boom.