Question Time

Skills for All

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (14:20): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills a question about the Skills for All program.

Leave granted.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: Under the Skills for All program, registered training organisations (known as RTOs) have previously been encouraged to include bridging units in the training provided to South Australians to ensure that they are well prepared for their vocation in the wider workforce. Recently, a number of RTOs have been advised that bridging units are noncompliant, triggering a request from the government to return funds paid for delivering these bridging units. My questions to the minister are:

1. How many registered training organisations are being asked to return subsidies paid under the Skills for All program in relation to the alleged incorrect use of bridging units?

2. What is the total quantum of funds that the department is seeking to recoup through this process?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (14:21): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. In relation to the details around bridging units, I will have to take that on notice and bring back a response. I don't have those operational details on me, but as I said, I am happy to take that on notice and bring back a response.

However, in a broader policy sense, in relation to Skills for All we know that various changes have been made over the last number of years. Those changes have largely been in line with ensuring that we have budget control over expenditure. We continue to work with RTOs to understand their businesses. We continue to work with industry to understand their skill needs and we will work with the industry and employers to ensure a long-term sustainable and viable training sector.