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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-09-24 Daily Xml
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ENTERPRISE ZONE FUND

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (15:23): I seek leave to ask the Minister for Regional Development and Status of Women a question about the Enterprise Zone Fund, Upper Spencer Gulf and Outback.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: The Enterprise Zone Fund, Upper Spencer Gulf and Outback is designed to strengthen Upper Spencer Gulf and outback communities by supporting growing industries. Can the minister inform the chamber about the women in the Civil Plant Operations Training Program funded through the Enterprise Zone Fund, Upper Spencer Gulf and Outback?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (15:24): I thank the honourable member for his question. The Enterprise Zone Fund, Upper Spencer Gulf and Outback is a $4 million rolling fund, available over four years, which seeks to support growing industries in the North and Far North regions of our state. The fund is intended to capture the benefits of this growth in the USG and outback communities via strategies such as capitalising on opportunities that are focused on, but not limited to, the expansion of the resource and energy sectors, and by providing access to organisations in the USG and outback for projects that make a major impact in the region by changing competitive advantages in its favour.

The fund is accessible by organisations, including local government, businesses and industry associations in the region. As honourable members would be aware, realising the benefits of the mining boom for all South Australians is a strategic priority for this government. It is grant programs, such as the Enterprise Zone Fund, that enable our regions to be proactive and supported in capturing the benefits of this growth for all members of their communities.

The Upper Spencer Gulf and outback regions are well placed geographically to capture business from the expansion of the resources and energy sectors. The Upper Spencer Gulf and outback areas have within them a very solid base of small to medium enterprises which have the capacity to participate in the increased mining and energy generation activity. There is great scope for these businesses, including Aboriginal enterprises, to be assisted in growing their individual and collective capabilities and to maximise the opportunities of job creation and sustainable and growing communities in the region.

I have spoken in this place previously on how vital it is that regional women have access to scholarships and training opportunities that enable them to participate in STEM industries. Women in our regional, rural and remote communities often encounter significant barriers to accessing opportunities in skill development and mentorship, more so than women based in metropolitan regions. Our STEM industries continue to grow in our regions. It is of the utmost importance that we ensure that women have the skills and confidence to access the employment opportunities available.

Women wanting to engage with STEM industries obviously face obstacles in not just accessing training opportunities but often having to fight against those stereotypes that women are unable or unwilling to participate in STEM careers. The South Australian government remains committed to encouraging and financially supporting women to access training in high demand, high growth, non-traditional industries, such as mining, defence and construction.

I am very pleased that today I was able to announce $75,000 of funding to Civil Train, the training division of the Civil Contractors Federation (CCF), which covers a variety of training programs to CCF members and also to civil contractors around Australia. Civil Train is also a Skills for All provider which currently delivers accredited training for those employed in civil construction, horticulture, agriculture and a range of allied industries.

The funding gives the opportunity for 12 women from communities in the North and Far North to train for jobs in mining and allied industries, with particular focus on recruiting Aboriginal women to the program. Training is conducted over an eight-week period, with the first five weeks of the program run to fulfil the national training unit competencies, meaning that all graduates of the program will leave with a Certificate II in Civil Construction.

The practical component of the training is held within the Davenport Aboriginal community at Port Augusta and will involve work on community-based projects. This is real-world experience that not only helps the participants but brings benefits to the whole community. Further, the participants will also undertake a minimum of 24 hours' training on the Civil Train plant simulators and licensing to operate a minimum of two pieces of plant equipment, including an elevating work platform, a skid steer loader and an excavator. Participants have the opportunity to gain licences for all three, dependent on their skill level of course, and I would be very keen myself to have a go at some of this equipment. I wouldn't mind hopping into one of those simulators.

This experience, along with their certification, ensures that participants will begin employment as skilled employees as soon as they graduate. I am advised that this hands-on training is highly valued and preferred by potential employers. It also establishes a collection of qualified women from which local and regional businesses can select and increases opportunities for employment for successful participants in associated industries, such as local government.

I am advised that the application process is expected to commence at the beginning of October this year, with the program scheduled to kick off mid to late October and due for completion in late December this year. I wish all the applicants the very best in their training. Continuing to cultivate strong regions and growing industries in South Australia is dependent on ensuring the full participation of South Australian women in all industries, and this Labor government certainly continues to consistently deliver for our regions and our regional and rural women.

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