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 Skills for All.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.L. Brokenshire: Please make it brief.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: Thank you for your guidance, the Hon. Mr Brokenshire. I notice that you are leaving. I note that in the highlights of the budget there are a number of references where the government has been quite proud, or has attempted to be proud, of its performance in this particular area. The first two or three highlights are:

Increased the number of government-funded VET students in South Australia by 22 per cent in 2013, from 123,300 in 2012 to an estimated 150,000 in 2013.

Achieved the government's target of an additional 100,000 training places three years ahead of schedule.

It goes on to say in the highlights:

South Australia is now the most efficient jurisdiction for training in terms of cost per hour.

In 2013, there were 134,900 Skills for All subsidised course enrolments, a 59 per cent (or 49,600 additional enrolments) increase on the 84,300 enrolments in 2012.

My question is: can the minister explain to the chamber how the government measures the number of graduates from any of these Skills for All programs who actually find jobs?

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) (14:22): I thank the honourable member for his question. Skills for All has been a huge success in a number of ways. Introduced back in 2012, the figures I have are that in 2013 Skills for All funded 134,900 qualification enrolments, and an estimated one in seven South Australians are currently undertaking VET type training. Course enrolments increased in the following disadvantaged groups in semester 2 2013 compared with semester 2 2012:

mature-aged people (55 years and over), a 62 per cent increase;

Aboriginal students, a 35 per cent increase;

female students, a 32 per cent increase;

people with a disability, a 29 per cent increase;

lower socioeconomic background, a 24 per cent increase; and

young people (15 to 24 years), a 14 per cent increase.

I am also advised that 4,110 school-enrolled students were supported through Skills for All in the period 1 July 2013 to 28 February 2014, and 211 training providers are approved Skills for All providers, TAFE SA being the largest training provider. Of course, then there is Adult Community Education (ACE), which provides learning programs in very supportive community-based settings and which delivers both accredited and non-accredited type training for people.

Over 1,000 participants have undertaken accredited training through ACE. The agencies work with industry and enterprises through the Skills in the Workplace program for upskilling existing workers, and workforce development activities. They have also focused support on employers in the advanced manufacturing sector.

The Skills for Jobs in Regions delivers programs to 17 regional networks across the state which link people with skills in jobs, and the agency works with RDA boards, local governments, community organisations and local employers to improve workforce participation in regions. I have been advised that around 110,000 more persons have been employed in South Australia, in 'trend' terms, since March 2002.

So, as you can see there is an incredible track record. In terms of how the measurements are calculated, they are operational matters. I don't have those details, but I am happy to take that part of the question on notice and bring back a response.

The PRESIDENT: Supplementary question, Mr Ridgway.