VOLUNTEERING

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (15:04): My question is to the Minister for Volunteers. Will the minister inform us about the unique partnership agreement between Volunteering SA&NT and TAFE SA and the recent graduation ceremony that he attended?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (15:04): I was hoping someone would ask me this, and I thank the honourable member for his very important question. Volunteering SA&NT and TAFE SA have formed a partnership to assist people to gain the formal qualification of the Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management. The initiative is funded through the Productivity Places Program, a federal government program that recognises the importance of nationally endorsed training.

The Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management, specialising in volunteer management, will provide participants with an opportunity to have formal recognition of their experiences, skills and knowledge with a nationally recognised qualification. It is anticipated that the qualification will provide employment opportunities for graduates and will also provide prospective employers with documented evidence of the graduates' capabilities at a national industry standard. Most importantly, it will help to build capacity in the volunteering sector, providing the skills and knowledge to develop the many managers already providing their time and practical experience to our community.

So many people, when considering volunteers and volunteering in our community, forget about the many people behind the scenes, all working very hard to get volunteering happening in their local communities. Volunteer managers are at the centre of this. Their work is important to the managing, recruiting and the valuing of volunteers.

I attended the event on 18 April to launch the partnership, and witnessed the signing of the MOU between Volunteering SA&NT and TAFE SA, along with Dr Duncan McFetridge from the other place. I was also there to celebrate the achievements of the Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management graduates. The graduates will provide the community with skills and knowledge to help manage, recruit, train and value volunteers.

I assisted with the presentation of certificates to the graduates in the presence of Joy Noble, whose lifetime of volunteering is recognised with the Joy Noble Medal, South Australia's most prestigious award for volunteers. I would like to take this opportunity to commend both Volunteering SA&NT and TAFE SA for establishing this partnership, which is helping to build capacity in our very important volunteer sector here in South Australia.