SKILLS FOR ALL

Ms THOMPSON (Reynell) (14:47): My question is to the Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills. Can the minister inform the house how the state government Skills for All reforms will help young people get the training they want through the VET system?

The Hon. T.R. KENYON (Newland—Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for Recreation and Sport) (14:47): Thank you; I can. I should also note the member for Reynell's strong interest in training, especially the adult community education sector and getting people into training again after a very long time of not being involved, if ever.

The state government's focus is on keeping teenagers in education and training to give them the best chance of winning a sustainable job. Most South Australian teenagers are still in full-time study and we are glad they are, because employers need staff with the education and skills needed in the workforce.

Through the Skills for All reforms the state government is focusing on providing young people with opportunities and pathways into further education, training and employment. The Skills for All website—which is www.skills.sa.gov.au—and the 1800 506 266 information line provide extensive information about career options, training courses and training providers to help young people understand what jobs are out there and what they need in terms of formal qualifications to get those jobs. There is a variety of publicly available tools and other resources so that young people can make informed choices about training options and how to make the best use of their government-funded training place.

Vocational education and training courses are ideal for students who are not interested in university, and government-funded training places will be available for most South Australians aged 16 years or over. For the first time eligible students can access fee-free courses at certificate I and II levels, and this will mean that young people who have often had a limited income can begin their training pathway without having to worry about course fees.

In order to support young people transition from school into further education and a rewarding career that is right for them, Skills for All introduces the training guarantee for SACE students. The scheme gives students who have started a certificate III qualification pathway at school a guaranteed funded training place at TAFE SA or an approved Skills for All training provider so that they can complete their qualifications after school. The training guarantee means that there are no course fees for students for a certificate II qualification and only some fees for a certificate III, and the government will pay for the remainder of the costs of the course.

I encourage all young people thinking about what training they might want to visit the Skills for All website and use the hotline to find out more about the government's reform of the VET system.