WorkReady

The Hon. R.L. BROKENSHIRE (15:08): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Leader of Government Business a question.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.L. BROKENSHIRE: Sir, as you would be well aware, there have been lots of questions in this house about concerns over getting people job ready with the hope of them getting a job. I still have not had a clear answer from the minister: are the private training providers correct or incorrect when they say there are only 20 agricultural jobs outside of apprenticeships available in South Australia from Mount Gambier? Is that true—yes or no?

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) (15:08): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. In terms of the specific numbers allocated on the subsidised training list, I don't have those numbers with me, but I am happy to take that on notice. There are 700 subsidised training qualifications on that training list, and I don't carry the details of all 700 around in my head.

However, as I have indicated in this place in relation to the privates, there is potential to access the subsidised training places through the Jobs First allocation. There are also Jobs First employment programs that can be accredited or non-accredited courses, so that can cover just about anything. I have indicated that there is $7.5 million in that particular stream that privates are eligible to apply for, for any qualification that they might choose.

The materials will go out in July for that process, so it is hard to anticipate how many agricultural places may be applied for under that stream. Also, as I have indicated, for training apprenticeship contracts there is unlimited subsidisation, so if these qualifications can be linked to an apprenticeship on a training contract, the privates will have access to unlimited numbers and, of course, there is also fee for service. In terms of what has been released so far in relation to the area the honourable member has inquired about, I am happy to take that on notice and bring back a response.