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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-09-22 Daily Xml
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REGIONAL EMPLOYMENT

Ms BREUER (Giles) (15:10): Will the Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education advise the house what support is available to link regional South Australians with skills and jobs in their local area?

The Hon. M.F. O'BRIEN (Napier—Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education, Minister for Road Safety, Minister for Science and Information Economy) (15:10): I am pleased to advise that thousands of South Australians will again have the opportunity to participate in a range of learning, training and employment programs that have strong links to industry and areas of jobs growth thanks to funding from the South Australian government. I am sure that all members are aware of the South Australia Works in the Regions program, a unique initiative that links people to learning, skills and jobs by partnering with industry and programs that respond to local needs.

The South Australian government will contribute $7.7 million this year to help over 6,500 people participate in a range of training, learning or work programs. This funding to regions will be boosted up to $14.9 million with the inclusion of additional funds and in-kind support of $7.2 million from the Australian government, industry and community organisations. This regional program—now in its sixth year—is highly successful because of the strong partnerships formed between the state government, the regional development boards and the 17 employment and skills formation networks that have been established across the state.

These local employment and skills formation networks understand the unique needs of their own region and know what skills are needed by local businesses and industry. It is expected that 3,455 participants will find employment as a result of their involvement with the program, with the remaining participants being placed on pathways to employment. In addition, over 2,000 people will participate in development activities to kick start their careers.

Projects include literacy and numeracy support, careers advice, accredited training, skills recognition and links to job opportunities; and they will target those facing employment barriers, such as young people, Aboriginal people, the mature aged and people with a disability.

I will cite just one of the 17 programs on offer, and that is the one for the Riverland region. Unemployed and underemployed workers in the Riverland from the horticulture, agriculture, food processing and packing sectors and those affected by the drought will receive targeted individual training and help in gaining employment in the Employment Renewal project.

This project will receive $475,000, and it has the potential to provide invaluable support to the recently retrenched National Foods employees in Berri. The benefits to participants of SA Works in the Regions projects cannot be measured in immediate employment outcomes. Participants also enhance their job skills and self-confidence, improve their levels of literacy and numeracy and often move on to pursue further education or different career paths—a great initiative for the region by the Rann Labor government.

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