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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Second Session (51-2)
2007-11-20 Daily Xml
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SOUTH AUSTRALIA WORKS

Mr KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens) (14:53): My question is to the Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education. What contribution has the South Australia Works program made in tackling the critical challenges of skills development and linking people with sustainable employment?

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton—Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for Youth, Minister for Gambling) (14:54): I am sure that every member of this chamber is immensely proud of the South Australia Works program. It is a remarkable program, which is run by DFEEST and which has achieved outstanding results since 2002. In echoing the words of my ministerial colleague, I too was pleased last night to be in attendance at the Premier's awards showcasing some of the outstanding work being undertaken by our Public Service.

As was mentioned, South Australia Works in the Regions program—the centrepiece of South Australia Works—took out top honours in excellence in building communities and improving the way in which learning, training and employment programs are delivered in the regional areas. This recognition is well deserved and it is certainly testament to the exceptional quality of the SA Works program and the hard work and dedication of the DFEEST staff involved in linking thousands of South Australians with skills, training and sustainable jobs. It was a pleasure and a privilege for me as minister to attend last night and to see the many staff involved in this program accept their well-deserved award.

Under this government, there has been unprecedented jobs growth, with around 77,000 jobs created since 2002, yet we know that the challenge ahead is significant if business, governments and communities are to meet the increase in demand for skilled employees. South Australia Works has played a major role in taking up this challenge. Last year alone more than 7,900 people were supported into employment: in total more than 24,000 people participated in a South Australia Works program. Of course, critical to the success of SA Works are the partnerships forged with regional development boards, local industry, local government, employers, and employment and service providers. It is a real partnership arrangement and that is the secret of the success. I know the member for Goyder—

Mr Griffiths interjecting:

The Hon. P. CAICA: We have record numbers in employment. This is a good news story, Steven.

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. P. CAICA: This program works collectively and collaboratively with people in the regions, and you know that, in your area, this is an outstanding program and it has had outstanding success, so I do not think that you can bad mouth this particular program. It is by working in partnership that we have been able to develop local solutions in response to local needs. I offer my wholehearted congratulations and sincere thanks to the hundreds of local people from communities across South Australia who have helped to make South Australia Works such a success. While it has been another successful year for SA Works, we know that much more needs to be done. Next year, it is anticipated that a further 24,000 people will participate in a range of learning, training and employment programs, and that an estimated 7,900 South Australians are expected to transition successfully to employment.

SA Works is an outstanding program which is delivering real job outcomes and which is providing training opportunities for South Australians to ensure that we have a dynamic and skilled workforce into the future. It is a program that makes a tremendous contribution to the state government's goals of economic development and social inclusion, and again I congratulate my departmental people and all those involved in the SA Works program.

Honourable members: Hear, hear!

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