JOB CREATION

Ms THOMPSON (Reynell) (14:43): My question is to the Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills. Can the minister inform the house about the government's jobs and skills policy and how it will support skills and jobs in the regions?

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI (Hartley—Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy) (14:43): I thank the member for Reynell for this important question and her continued interest in job creation in Adelaide's south. I am pleased that the state government's recently released jobs and skills policy sets out a very strong strategy for further job creation and reinforces this government's continued commitment to education and training.

Our strategy deliberately involves government, communities, business and industry working together to create new local opportunities for job seekers. For example, we are expanding our Skills for Jobs in Regions program to deliver flexible and responsive local projects and career development services which meet the needs of job seekers, employers and the community. This aims to create up to 14,000 jobs for people in local communities over the next three years. It will provide sustainable jobs with local employers who are on board right from the start with a commitment to providing jobs for people who are trained and ready for work.

Skills for Jobs in Regions will have a particular focus on working with communities, including southern Adelaide, northern Adelaide, western Adelaide and the Upper Spencer Gulf. We are also working closely with local employers and business leaders in those communities.

I am pleased to announce the establishment of 15 new industry leaders groups that include local leaders, obviously, with strong links to industry across a range of sectors, including advanced manufacturing, resources, transport, finance and agriculture. Mr Anthony Kittel, chair of the Southern Adelaide Industry Leaders Group and managing director of Redarc Electronics, has shown a strong commitment to Adelaide's south—

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: —yes, he's outstanding—by investing in training and research and development. The practical, on-the-ground experience of people such as Anthony will play a very important role in this policy. These industry leaders groups will work with existing networks to better connect, coordinate and respond to training, skills development and local needs.

I do believe that this partnership approach to jobs and skills, together with our investment in major infrastructure projects, will continue to create sustainable and long-term opportunities for South Australians. I take this opportunity to thank the regional networks and members of our new industry leaders groups for their passionate commitment to working with government to create more jobs in a competitive and changing economy.