The Malinauskas Labor Government will today release a new skills policy for South Australia – the first in over a decade – which will drive reform and investment in training over the next 10 years.
Skilled. Thriving. Connected. outlines significant reforms for South Australia's skills system to ensure the State has the skilled workforce it needs now and into the future.
It sets a bold ambition for what we need the skills system to deliver in South Australia: That we will have highly adaptable skilled people that contribute to a thriving South Australia and are supported by a connected skills system.
This means ensuring that South Australians have the skills they need for secure, well-paid careers, and industry has access to a highly skilled workforce and ongoing quality training opportunities, improving South Australia's prosperity.
Key reforms set out in the new policy include:
- A stronger focus on learner wellbeing and completions – rather than focusing solely on commencements.
- Moving to a managed training system with greater government direction on where investment goes – better aligned to skills need and state priorities such as building and construction, defence, early childhood education and renewable energy.
- Placing TAFE SA at the centre of the skills system to deliver on government priorities, ensure regional communities have access to training, and drive collaboration with other training providers – with a strong role for not-for-profit, industry and other non-government training providers to complement TAFE SA's public provider role.
- Having a greater emphasis on ensuring the quality and integrity of training providers and employers.
- Requiring employers, unions, and industry to actively engage.
The release of Skilled. Thriving. Connected. follows on from the Malinauskas Labor Government signing the landmark five-year National Skills Agreement, which will deliver a $2.3 billion investment in skills for South Australia.
In the coming months, the State Government will release the Jobs and Skills Outlook for 2024, outlining current and emerging skills needs, and the Skills Investment Plan, detailing how investment in skills will meet the growing demands of key employment areas such as defence and social care.
As put by Blair Boyer
Today marks the biggest change to the skills system in South Australia in over a decade. Following extensive consultation with unions, industry, students and training providers, we have developed this policy to drive the improvements we need to skills in our state. Short term approaches to skills have not served our state well.
This policy spells out the State Government's long-term approach to combat the persistent skills shortages that have been felt by industry, businesses and the community.
Ensuring students actually finish their course, makes sure every cent invested in skills delivers the best outcomes for the economy – taking strong action against any unscrupulous behaviour, having a strong public provider, and ensuring all parts of the training system are working together to deliver the skilled workforce our state needs.
We have not wasted any time in ensuring we overcome the skills crisis we inherited. From signing a $2.3 billion National Skills Agreement with the Commonwealth, to investing in TAFE SA – we are leaving no stone unturned in tackling skills shortages. Today is the next crucial step in building the skilled workforce we need for the secure, well-paid jobs our government is creating.
As put by SA Unions Secretary Dale Beasley
For too long, we've witnessed ideological attacks on TAFE SA and a lack of investment in supporting trainees and workers throughout their studies in South Australia.
Cracking down on training system rorting by stamping out dodgy provider behaviour is long overdue. SA Unions congratulate the government on this new approach to skills.
Skills are the result of workers' efforts to equip themselves for fulfilling careers and dignified lives.
Collaboration among industry and workers in shaping industry and skills policy gets better outcomes.
The system-wide focus on trainees completing their qualification will help more workers gain the skills needed for job opportunities here in South Australia.
As put by Australian Industry Group State Head, South Australia Estha van der Linden
South Australian businesses need a pipeline of skilled workers and implementing a long term, but adaptable policy, that places industry and individuals at its centre, is key to ensuring our future workforce needs will be meet.
Australian Industry Group supports a training policy and system that is flexible and responsive but also provides a clear direction that is focused on student and industry needs – now and into the future.
