YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS

In reply to Mr PISONI (Unley) (13 October 2010) (Estimates Committee B).

The Hon. T.R. KENYON (Newland—Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for Recreation and Sport): My Department advises me that the Youth Conservation Corps Program has transitioned into the Skills for Sustainability initiative within the South Australia Works Program. Skills for Sustainability aligns with new Commonwealth and State directions, provides accredited and non-accredited training, as well as additional support for young people facing barriers to participation in learning and work.

State Government Regions have identified the participation needs of young people facing labour market barriers through comprehensive and extensive strategic planning and prioritising processes. Skills for Sustainability is a contemporary version of the Youth Conservation Corps. Skills for Sustainability projects have been developed in response to these evidence based priorities to increase participation of young people in learning, training and/or employment, and at the same time, address skills required in existing and new clean industries and occupations.

South Australia's ability to transition to a low carbon, more environmentally sustainable economy will depend on people having the skills to support the development and deployment of new and emerging clean technologies and services.

A range of industries are covered under the Skills for Sustainability initiative which has an emphasis on the environment, renewable and alternative energies, water and wastewater reuse and treatment technologies, and low emission transport technologies.

My department also advises that the report on employment programs, referred to by the Member for Unley, was an internal evaluation completed in February 2008. This report has been well and truly superseded by extensive reviews of the South Australia Works initiative and the Adult Community Education Program. Following these reviews, South Australia Works was strengthened to increase workforce participation outcomes for people who face disadvantage in the labour market, including young people, through projects which provide skills in conservation and new and emerging clean technologies and services.

The Adult Community Education program was allocated an additional $6.4 million over six years to increase foundation skills training, and to develop stronger pathways between ACE and the Vocational Education Training System.

A copy of these reports can be provided to the Member for Unley.