act skills future progress report

AC T SKILLS FUTURE PROGRESS REPOR T

ACT SKILLS FUTUREPROGRESS REPORT

MAY 2009

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ACT SKILLS FUTURE PROGRESS REPORT

This report provides an update on progress in implementing ACT Skills Future and flags future directions.

ACT Skills Future: Key Initiatives in a Long Term Strategy to Address the Skills Challenge (ACT Skills Future) was launched in May 2008 to provide a long term strategy to address the shortage of skilled workers in the ACT. This was supported by $51m over four years in the 2008-09 Budget.

The Strategy aims to:• addresstheneedforpeopleintheworkforceinlightofthedemographic challenge (eg. ageing demographic and population size);• increasetheproductivityofthosealreadyintheworkforce;• lifttheparticipationofpeoplecurrentlyoutsideoftheworkforce;and• ensuretheeducationandtrainingneedsoftodayandtomorrow’sworkforcearemet.

Since the release of the ACT Skills Future the Government has also released the Canberra Plan: Towards Our Second Century (Canberra Plan), which includes a theme of excellent education, quality teaching and skills development. To achieve this, the Canberra Plan highlights the need for a skilled workforce adaptable to change and able to meet the diverse needs of the community.

TheACT’s2008economicplan,Capital Development,reinforcestheACTGovernment’sfocusona skilled and educated workforce. Capital Development recognises that the people of Canberra are its greatest asset - the foundation of our strong economy. Investing in people to increase the capacity, flexibility, efficiency and fairness of the ACT economy is therefore a central theme of this plan.

The recently released 2009-2010 ACT Government Budget continues investment in key areas to address skills challenges. Initiatives supported through the Budget include:• extensionofpaidmaternityleaveto18weeksintheACTPublicService;• newAustralianSchool-BasedApprenticeshipsinschoolseachyear;• expansionofCIT’sscholarshipprogramthatprovidesassistancewithfeesandcourse material in areas of skills shortages;• fundingthroughtheHealthWorkforceDevelopmentprogramtoestablishhealth professional support roles, to support workforce development in other nations and the expansion of the nursing and midwifery scholarship scheme; • GP Workforce InitiativestosupportandgrowtheACT’sGPworkforce;and• continuationoftheACTIndigenousTraineeshipProgramthatprovidestrainingand employment opportunities for young Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders.

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ACHIEVEMENTSThe ACT Skills Future Strategy set out initiatives under the four priorities of:1. people and workforce;2. productivity;3. participation; and4. education and training.

In the first year of implementation, ACT Skills Future has delivered achievements across all four priority areas. A snapshot of some of the key achievements is set out below.

Priority: People and WorkforceTo build the population base and workforce of the ACT to address the skills challenge and increasetheACT’srevenueflows,givingscopeforotherinitiativestoimprovethequalityoflifefor all Canberrans.

Initiatives implemented under this priority have been aimed at matching supply with demand. i.e. targeting people from overseas and interstate with the experience, qualifications and skills that the business, industry and the community sectors require.

Key achievements include:Study, Work and Stay Program• Student Connect–apilottoconnectinternationalstudents(ANU,Universityof Canberra, and CIT) with employers through formalised regular work experience. • OverseastraineddoctorsarebeingrecruitedtotheACTwithACTHealth’sappointment of a GP Marketing and Support Officer, resulting in processing times decreasing and GP workforce numbers beginning to increase.

Securing the Right People for the ACT Workforce• TheChiefMinister’sDepartmenthasincreasedsupportforitsSkilled and Business Program, resulting in an improved settlement program for newly arrived independent skilled workers. • The“Live in Canberra” program has conducted campaigns in South Africa, United Kingdom,NewZealandandSouth-WesternSydney.During2008-09,28organisations have committed financial support (a total of $140,000) to the program. • TheACTGovernmenthasaskedtheCommonwealthGovernmenttoreviewits inconsistent approaches across the General Skilled Migration Program as part of the CommonwealthGovernment’sreviewofitsimmigrationframework.

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Modelling and Planning for a Skilled Future • CompletedaHealthEducationtoWorkforcePipelinevalidationproject,which developed linkages between the relevant health workforce supply and demand data sets, and trialled this methodology using local health education and health workforce data. • TheChiefMinister’sDepartmentandACTDepartmentofEducationandTraining commissionedresearchoncurrentandfutureskillsshortagestoinformtheACT’sSkills in Demand List and ACT Annual Vocational and Training Priorities.

Timor Leste Skills Development Exchange Program• TheACTcontinuesitscommitmenttoworkwithEastTimor,AusAidandother jurisdictionsindevelopingandexploringstrategiestoassistskilldevelopment.• CITisnegotiatinganagreementwiththeDiliInstituteofTechnologythatwillprovide opportunities for exchange of staff and students principally in the automotive and tourism/hospitality areas.

Priority: ProductivityPeople continue to develop their skills to respond productively and flexibly to the labour market in the interests of economic growth and development for a more fulfilled and tolerant community.

Initiatives under this priority have focussed on two areas: both raising the profile of the ACT Public Service as a key employer in the ACT and supporting the existing workforce; and improving access and support for people interested in Australian Apprenticeships.

Key achievements include:ACT Public Service (ACTPS) Workforce• LaunchedtheACTPublicService Attraction and Retention Framework in September 2008.• EstablishedHealth Day Out, a partnership between health and education sectors, in 2008, after a successful pilot in 2007.• ACTHealthprovidesatraineeshippathwayforstudentsthroughCertificateIVinAllied HealthAssistance.• TheUniversityofCanberraoffershealtheducatorsfromACTHealthaGraduate CertificateinHigherEducation.• TheDepartmentofEducationandTraining’spilotprojectAustralianSchoolBased Apprenticeships has been implemented in schools using a Group Training Organisation as employer and co-ordinator. An evaluation report will be completed in 2009.

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• TheACT Skills Recognition Project has improved the take-up of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) across Training and Tertiary Education (TaTE) by simplifying the RPLprocessandaccesstoCertificateIVinGovernment.• TheACTPublicServiceRecruitmentGuidelinesarebeingrevised.• AustralianApprenticeshipspathwaysareavailableforIndigenoustraineesandpeople with a disability. • EstablishedanAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderEEOProgramtosupportthe Indigenous Traineeship Program.• The2009-2010ACTGovernmentBudgetsupportsthecontinuationoftheIndigenous Traineeships Program.• ImplementedanACTPSExecutive Development and Future Leaders Program.• TheACTPublicServiceissponsoringtrainingtofrontandfirst-linemanagerstodevelop their core managerial skills.• ACTHealthoffersagraduateoneyearprofessionaldevelopmentandtransitionto practice program for midwives and nurses. An orientation program for pharmacists and one in social work is to commence in 2010. • TheDepartmentofJusticeandCommunitySafetyprovidestraineeshippathwaysfor ACT Ambulance Service recruits in Ambulance Support Officer and Intensive Care Paramedic roles.• TheDepartmentofJusticeandCommunitySafetyprovidestraineeshipsinCorrectional Services for both custodial officers and probation and parole officers.• Inaddition,inresponsetoarecommendationfromtheACTSkillsCommission,the ACT Government will extend paid maternity leave in the ACTPS to 18 weeks, an ACT Government 2009-2010 Budget initiative.

ACT Health and Education Workforces• ACTHealthoffersCertificate III ASBA Program in Dental Assisting; Allied Health Postgraduate Scholarship for the allied health professional workforce; and Professional Level 3 Personal Upgrade Scheme of Recognition of Excellence. • ACTDepartmentofEducationandTraining’sLeadershipCapabilityFrameworkis aligned to the new School Leadership Framework (eg mentor programs, workshops, executive shadowing) and the Educators Support Program continues to provide professional learning workshops and support.• TheProfessionalLearningFundallocates$250,000annuallytoteacherscholarships.• TheACTGovernmentnegotiatedaMemorandumofUnderstandingwiththeAustralian Government under Phase II of Commonwealth Productivity Places Program and places arebeingdeliveredthroughACTHealthaddressinglocalhealthworkforceneedssuchas in nursing, health supervision, training and assessment and health support services.

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• TheACTsignedtheTeacherQualityNationalPartnershipthatincludesstrategiesto increase the supply and quality of teachers through partnerships with universities and provision of new pathways for graduates and career changers to enter the teaching profession.• TheACTGovernment2009-2010Budgetprovidesfunding,$8.2millionover4 years, to the Health Workforce Development program to establish new health support roles, physiotherapy extended scope roles, clinical educator positions, support for workforce development in other nations and expansion of the nursing and midwifery scholarship scheme. • $12.2millionover4yearshasbeenallocatedintheACTGovernment’s2009-2010 Budget to the GP Workforce Initiatives program to establish GP scholarships, GP teachingpayments,anACTGPDevelopmentFund,in-hoursGPlocumservicesandaGP Prevocational Placement Program.

ICT Traineeships• TheACTGovernment’s2008-09BudgetsupportedanexpansionofInTACT’sICT Traineeship Program targeting ACT college students to enable the engagement of an additional 26 ICT Trainees. Traineeships are offered in partnership with CIT.

Private Sector Training• Twofacilitators,fundedfromACTGovernment’s2008-09Budget,havebeenemployed toenhanceandextendtheVETconsultationandliaisonactivitieswithbusiness,industry and the community in the ACT.• ACTGovernmentsupportsregularAccreditationandRegistrationCouncilbreakfast forums, annual “Let’s Talk”VETforums;regularindustrymeetingsandconsultation;and facilitates Industry Skills Council consultations with employers.• ParttimetraineeshipsareavailableinarangeofVETqualifications.• ACTGovernmentfacilitatesthedevelopmentofshortercoursesinlicensedandnon- licensed occupations through Accelerated Apprenticeships and RPL.• ThreeAcceleratedApprenticeshipinitiativeshavebeenintroducedinhairdressing, cooking and panel beating, with another in spray painting due to begin in 2009.• ChangestotheACTRegisteredTrainingOrganisationsrequirementsforAustralian ApprenticeshipsDeliveryhavebeenmade.

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Skilling/Training the Not-for- Profit and Community Sector• TheACTOfficeforIndustrialRelations,DepartmentofDisability,Housingand Community Services and the Long Service Leave Authority are working in partnership to develop a portable long service leave scheme for the ACT community sector. • ACTGovernmentcontinuestoworkatanationallevelthroughtheCommunityand DisabilityServicesMinisterialAdvisoryCouncil(CDSMAC)intacklingthestructuralissues in the community services workforce.• ThePriority Support Program (PSP) provided funding for four units of competency inCertificateIVinCommunityServices(ProtectiveCare).Theprogramhasbeen implementedinpartnershipwiththeDepartmentofDisability,HousingandCommunity Services to meet its identified need to have skilled foster care providers. • Take the Lead Training Program, delivered through PSP, was completed in 2008. The program was designed to empower people who have been clients of disability supportorganisationstobecometrainers,undertakingaCertificateIVinTrainingand Assessment, of specialist support staff working with people with a disability.

Participating in the National Productivity Agenda• ACTparticipationintheCouncilofAustralianGovernments’ReformAgendawillresultin initiatives across education and skills.• TheCommonwealthGovernment’sinitiativeonfeeexemptionsfortraininginchildren’s servicesisavailabletoallstudentsundertakingDiplomaandAdvancedDiplomacourses in Children Services at CIT, including those undertaking a cadetship pathway.

Priority: ParticipationPeopleparticipatingintheworkforcearefundamentalinachievingtheGovernment’svisionthat all people share in the benefits of our community and make a contribution. It also assists in addressing the skills shortages in the ACT.

Initiatives under this priority are aimed at preventing long term unemployment and loss of skills bymaintainingaconnectionwiththejobmarket.

Key achievements include:Navigating the Skills System• Establishedan‘Out of Trade Register’ for Australian Apprentices and employers to register their details. The Register assists apprentices to stay in work and continue their studies wheretheyareatriskoflosingtheirjob,ensuringthatemployerscontinuetohave skilled workers they need. • TheACTGovernmenthasprovidedfundingtoexpandCIT’sscholarshipprogram, throughACTGovernment’s2009-2010Budgettoprovideassistancewithfeesand course materials to approximately 1,000 students per annum in areas of skills shortage.

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Improved Transitions from School to Study and Employment• TheDepartmentofEducationandTrainingestablishedaSteeringAdvisoryGroupto advise on careers education and student transitions with representation from each ACT public college.• TheACTGovernmentprovided$0.802minthe2008-09BudgetfortheDepartmentof EducationandTrainingtocontractVolunteeringACTtocontinuetodelivertheSPICE Program.• TheACTGovernmentprovided$1.037mover4years,inthe2008-09Budget,fortheCIT VocationalCollegetoexpandeducationalandsupportservices.• ACITLearningCentre,beingbuiltinconjunctionwiththenewGungahlinCollegeand to be opened in 2011, will provide a learning and training hub; offer vocational training and education opportunities; and provide a support centre for Gungahlin residents and students.• TheACTGovernment’s2009-2010Budgethasprovided$165,000over3yearstoLions YouthHavenInctodeliverlearningopportunitiesthroughtraininginbasicpersonalskills to be self-sufficient and productive individuals.• $1.5millionover4years,throughACTGovernment’s2009-2010Budget,willprovide new Australian School-Based Apprenticeships in schools each year providing an opportunity for students to achieve a nationally recognised vocational qualification with paid work and training as part of educational program and contributing towards their Year 12 Certificate.

Engaging the Unemployed/Underemployed• CIThasacquiredadaptivesoftwareandcomputersthatcanbeaccessedbystudents with special needs at any CIT location.• ACTHealthprovidesarefresherprogram,theCommonwealthProgram:Bringing Nurses Back to the Workforce, for nurses and midwives who have left the nursing workforce. • TheDepartmentofEducationandTrainingfundedatotalof94coursesthrough the Priority Support Program providing vocational skills in 2008 that included mature age participants. Funding was provided for a total of 837 mature age workers participatingincoursesrangingfromCertificateItoAdvancedDiplomalevels.• In2008,theDepartmentofEducationandTrainingalsofunded36courses through the Priority Support Program targeting people returning to the workforce. • TheCommunityInclusionBoardhascommissionedresearchonanareathatis representative of locational disadvantage in the ACT to look at options for effective policy and service interventions for the long term unemployed.

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• AsatMarch2009,atotalof80ACT Return to Work Grants had been approved. The Grants,administeredthroughtheOfficeforWomen,provideupto$1,000infunding for women to return to work through support for attending short courses, paying for childcare to attend interviews, funding for the purchase of equipment, clothing or text books. • Silver Lining KitsweredevelopedanddistributedaspartoftheSilverLiningProject.

Priority: Education and TrainingIncreasing the skill levels of the population will expand the supply capacity of the economy, strengthen the prospects for future growth and assist in reducing inflationary pressures.

There has been a particular emphasis under this priority on development and learning with initiatives to enhance student pathways and career guidance and the development of responsive training systems which support adult skills development.

Key achievements include:New Qualification Pathways• Acceleratedapprenticeshipsareoperatingincooking,hairdressing,spraypaintingand panel beating.• LaunchedtheSkills Recognition: your experience counts! program at the end of April 2009. • EstablishedaDepartmentofEducationandTrainingReferenceGrouptopromote awarenessandunderstandingofRPLwithintheDepartmentandpotentiallyacrossthe ACT Public Service. • TheDepartmentofEducationandTraininghassupportedtheCouncilofAustralian GovernmentsRPLinitiativebyimplementingRPLprojectsinChildren’sServices,Kitchen Operations, Commercial Cookery and Road Marking, implementing an RPL pilot for staff andpresentingRPLprojectsatnationalforums.• TheCommonwealthGovernmentiscurrentlyreviewingStandardsforGroupTraining Organisations(GTO’s).OncompletionoftheGTOStandardsandFundingReview,the DepartmentofEducationandTrainingwillundertakeareviewofGTOsintheACT.

Careers Guidance Reforms• Establishedapilotprogramtotrainteacherstodelivercareeradvicein2008,withCITas the Registered Training Organisation.

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School Retention Age• Followingcommunityconsultation,theACTGovernmenthasannouncedplansto,asof 2010,changetheACT’sminimumschoolleavingagefrom15toa“learningorearning” age of 17.

National VET Initiatives• AdditionalfundingfromACTGovernment’s2008-09BudgetenabledtheGovernment to provide $12m in 2008-09 in funding for User Choice for apprenticeships and traineeships in response to market demand and CIT will deliver an additional 35,000 hours of training including expansion of RPL from 2009.• TheDepartmentofEducationandTrainingiscurrentlyundertakingacostbenefit analysisofnewarrangementsproposedbyCommonwealth’sDepartmentof Education,EmploymentandWorkplaceRelationsfordeliveryofsupportthrough Australian Apprenticeship Centres. This report will be available in 2009.• TheDepartmentofEducationandTraininghasmappedprovisionof VocationalEducationandTraininginallACTschoolsandRegisteredTraining Organisations to inform options for the implementation of Trade Training Centres in Schools.

New Education and Skills Infrastructure• $1.3mwasallocatedintheACTGovernment’s2008-09Budgetforthedetaileddesignof askillsdevelopmentcentreatTheCanberraHospital.• ConstructionofCIT’shorticulturalfacilitieswillbecompletedbyDecember2009.Classes to commence at Bruce in 2010. Completed a business case, feasibility study and initial designforCIT’sFyshwickTradeSkillsCentreinFebruary2009.IntheACTGovernment’s 2009-2010 Budget, $9.943 million was allocated for the Electrotechnology Program Relocation. • $0.540millionwasallocatedintheACTGovernment’s2009-2010Budgetfor capitalupgradesatCIT’sReidCampus.• A$1macquisitionprogramwithinCITtoensurethatequipmentusedfortrainingkeeps pacewithadvancesintheworkplacewillbecompletedby30June2009.• OnlineenrolmentsatCITareplannedtocommencein2010,alongwithanewonline learning environment.

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FUTUREDIRECTIONSIn the year since the commencement of the ACT Skills Future Strategy,COAGhasagreedtomajornational reforms in a number of areas including skills and workforce development. The economic downturn has also impacted on the national economy as well as local economies.

The ACT is working to implement significant reform initiatives aimed at addressing skill shortages and emerging skill needs by ensuring training is flexible and responsive to the needs of industry, employersandindividuals.WorkisalsounderwaytoimplementtheFederalGovernment’sNation Building and Jobs Plan,buildingonthebaseoftheACT’sownsubstantialinfrastructureand land release program.

A strong, productive and skilled workforce is imperative for sustainability in the current environment. This will also ensure the ACT is positioned to take full advantage of growth and new opportunities when the economy begins to recover.

TheGovernment’seconomicplanfortheACT, Capital Development, is founded on strategies which aim to make the ACT economy more dynamic and flexible – responsive to both emerging challenges and new opportunities.

In particular, by making investment in people a priority, the Government continues to ensure that Canberrans are the most highly educated and skilled workers in the country. Such workers are highly sought after, their productivity and ideas will help to reinvigorate the ACT economy, andtheyhavetheflexibilitytotakeadvantageofchangingjobopportunities.

One of the key long term drivers for productivity and skills development is population ageing. This means as our population ages, we need to work harder to maintain our workforce participation.ChiefMinister’sDepartmentwillcontinuetoworkonlongtermdemographicstudies taking into account our regional hub status. This provides a source of workers, but also a demand for services, including government services.

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NEXTSTEPSWhilewishingtoretainthebroadprioritiesofACT Skills Future - people and workforce; productivity; participation; and education and training and following on from discussions with business and industry through recent roundtable meetings, the Government would appreciate feedback to inform future planning on some emerging priorities for future focus which have been identified and are outlined below.

Youth TransitionsInconjunctionwiththeworkthroughCOAG,theACTwillworktosupportyoungpeopleduringtransitional stages through education, training and employment to maximise educational outcomes and qualifications and in turn increase the opportunities to be engaged in the workforce.

TheACTGovernmentrecentlyannounceditsintentiontochangetheACT’sminimumschoolleavingagefrom15toa“learningorearning”ageof17.Legislationwillbeintroducedinthe2009spring sitting period whereby all ACT residents under 17 will be required by law to be enrolled in school, learning a trade or working.

Other actions will include the establishment of Trade Training Centres aimed at increasing the proportion of students achieving Year 12 or an equivalent qualification and target skills development in traditional trades particularly those experiencing skills shortages.

ApprenticeshipsAt the end of April 2009 CIT had 2,077 apprentices/trainees enrolled for the delivery of 551,777 hours of training. This compares to 2,143 enrolled for 537,853 hours at the end of April 2008. There are slightly fewer apprentices/trainees studying this year compared with very high levels in recent years. This shows a resilient market despite the economic downturn but it will need to be monitored closely as the year unfolds.

In response to discussions at earlier roundtable meetings held with business and industry representatives, the ACT has responded and provided support and assistance to apprentices wholosetheirjobpartwaythroughtheirtraining.Thisisanareawewillcontinuetomonitor.

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Current and future actions include: • TheDepartmentofEducationandTrainingfundingofapprenticesthroughUserChoice currentlyallowsapprenticeswhoarepartwaythroughacoursetocompletesubjectsin which they are already enrolled, even if their employment contract is terminated. • CITcanalsoprovideassistanceinexploringotherrelevantstudyoptionsandinfinding an alternate employer.• CITisexploringotheroptionssuchasthepossibilityofestablishingaschemewhereby apprenticeswholosetheirjobcanhavetheirskillsrecognisedaspartofadifferent course with the Construction Industry Training Council.• CIT’sTradeSkillsCentre(TSC)hasintroducedplumbingpre-vocationalcoursein February2009ratherthanthescheduleddateinJuly2009.TheTSChasalsoenrolledin itselectricalpre-vocationalprogramstudentsfromtheQueanbeyanAustralianTechnical College who were unable to find employers in order to start apprenticeships. • TheBuildingandEnvironmentCentre(BEC)hasintroducedapre-vocational program,thefirstinCIT’sBuildingandConstructionprogramssincetheearlynineties. This is as a direct result of the tightening of apprenticeship employment opportunities thisyear.TheTrainingPrograminGeneralConstruction(Pre-Vocational)issupportedby industry and provides nationally accredited skills and experience that will assist inensuringjobreadinessandarticulationintoAustralianapprenticeships.

Upskilling/Reskilling Current WorkforceWorktoincreasethelevelofqualificationswithinthecurrentworkforceandprovideflexiblesupport for industry training to allow staff to upskill and reskill throughout their careers, to be responsivetochangingmarketdemands,andremainchallengedandmotivatedintheirjobsremains a priority.

There is a significant increase in the use of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) by education and training sectors to acknowledge existing skills. RPL allows for the assessment of knowledge and skills that are generic and/or a range of formal specific skills that assist workers to gain formal qualifications. This investment in existing workers will enhance accelerated pathways to upgrade qualifications and ensure workers retain their attachment to the labour market.

Current and future actions include:• CIT’sTradeSkillsCentrehasintroducedasignificantRPLtargetaimedatcompletedtrade qualifications. This will increase the pool of tradespersons who are able to take on apprentices. • CIThasalsolaunchedtheirprogram,Skills Recognition: Your Experience Counts in 2009 that encourages prospective students to have their generic and formal qualifications recognised.

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• TheDepartmentofEducationandTrainingwillevaluatetheACTSkillsRecognition ProjectforextensionacrosstheDepartmentandtheACTPublicService.Themodel to be considered will be for a whole of ACT Government future training and professional development.

“Green” Job Opportunities New“green”jobopportunitiesareemergingasmanysectorsrespondtoclimatechange.In2009the Government will seek to understand and identify opportunities that may exist in this area.

AsajurisdictiontheACTGovernmenthasalreadytakenastrongleadershiproleintheemerginggreen economy through initiatives such as a Feed in Tariff to support household-based renewable energy generation and the proposal for an ACT Solar Farm to power a minimum of 10,000 homes.

Canberra is also home to a large and world class research base in alternative energy, in climate change adaptation and mitigation, in water resource management and e-water systems, and inemergingtechnologiessuchasplantphonemics.Wealsohaveknowledgebasedfirmsthatactively collaborate with research institutions and, importantly, have a track record of creating new business opportunities from our research base.

The‘emerginggreen’economyalsorequiressupplysideleadershipandsupport.Forexample,new skills and re-skilling existing trades and professions will be needed to provide skills to new andemergingindustries,includingthe‘greeneconomy’.

Related actions include: • TheCanberraInstituteofTechnology’s(CIT)newHorticultureFacilityatBruceandthe environmental initiatives under way at the Bruce campus and across CIT generally, will play an increasingly important role in meeting the challenge of providing appropriate skillsforfuture“green”jobopportunities.• CIToffersspecific“greenindustries”programsinCertificateIVinRenewableEnergyand Statement of Attainment in Renewable Energy. As at the beginning of 2009 CIT is now offeringaDiplomaofEcologyandEnvironmentManagementandaDiplomain Sustainability.• TheDepartmentofEducationandTrainingisinvolvedinanationalworkinggroup that has developed a National Vocational Education and Training Sector Sustainability Policy and Action Plan (2009-2012) to assist in planning and training for new vocational skills in the workforce.

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Managing Labour Demands The ACT labour market is softening, evidenced by the fourth consecutive monthly fall in employment growth and the second consecutive increase in the employment rate in March 2009. Year on year employment growth in the ACT (estimated at 1.5% in March 2009) was the third lowest of all States and Territories. The ACT, however, recorded the lowest unemployment rate (2.8%) and the second highest participation rate (72.4%) of all States and Territories in March 2009.

At this time skills shortages continue to act as a constraint on ACT employment growth across somesectors.However,initiativesinthefuturewillbedesignedtooptimiseemploymentoutcomesforskilledmigrantswithoutjeopardisingopportunitiesforlocalresidents.Furtherchanges may be required if the ACT labour market statistics weaken.

TheACTGovernment’sLive in Canberra Program plans to scale back its international focus to concentrate on targeted domestic opportunities resulting from the impact of the global financial crisis. The Live in Canberra Program will continue to work closely with local industry bodies and monitorchangingeconomicconditionstoenabletheprogramtoadjustitsfocusasneeded.Areturn to economic stability and certainty may require a return to overseas recruitment activities.

Changes are being made to the Skilled and Business Program criteria to reflect the current economic climate. The criteria are being strengthened, particularly in respect to English and skill levels and industry areas qualifying for sponsorship are being reviewed.

Toassistinthetargetingofspecificneeds,ChiefMinister’sDepartmentandDepartmentofEducation and Training are working collaboratively with consultants to develop a survey to identifycurrentandfutureskillsshortagesandinformtheACT’sSkills in Demand List which will reflect the outcomes of the survey.

CIT’sscholarshipprogram,Assistance with Fees in Areas of Skills Shortages, was supported through theACTGovernment’s2009-2010Budgetwith$1.4millionover4years.Theprogramwillbeexpanded, providing assistance with fees and course materials to approximately 1,000 students per annum in areas of skills shortages by encouraging financially disadvantaged students to undertake training and develop careers in the workforce by making training more affordable.

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AC T SKILLS FUTURE PROGRESS REPOR T

Education as an Industry Sector Ourworld-classeducationsectorishelpingtobuildtheACT’sskillbase,thusdrivinghigherproductivity, business formation, employment opportunities and economic growth. The sector itself makes an important direct contribution to the ACT economy by employing a large number of Canberrans, attracting both government and private investment to the ACT, and increasing our export income through the many overseas students who choose to study in Canberra.

The ACT Government is seeking to attract international students to Canberra through marketing the city as an educational place of excellence. This initiative is a priority for discussion at the ACT Government’sRoundtables.

Current and future actions include:• ThedevelopmentofanEducation Export Development Strategy.• TheformationofaHigherEducationMinisterialAdvisoryCounciltofocuson collaborative marketing strategies to attract overseas students.• Localeducationexportprovidersareactivelyengagedinjointmarketdevelopment through existing trade missions.• CITisparticipatingintheInternational Student Internship Program.• ACTIONandANUareundertakingstudiesonstudentpublictransportneeds.

Working and consulting with key stakeholdersIn addressing skills challenges in the ACT, the Government recognises the importance and value of working with stakeholders, including the Commonwealth Government, particularly through COAG reform initiatives.

The ACT Government will also continue to consult with key stakeholders in the ACT to identify emerging issues and appropriate responses to skills challenges, utilising a range of forums. Thiswillincludemechanismssuchasthe“Roundtables”heldtodiscussissuesimpactingonbusiness and industry sectors. Those held to date have focussed on initiatives to insulate the ACT economy and Canberra business against the impact of the global financial downturn. A further Roundtable is scheduled for late May 2009 and will provide an opportunity to discuss this Report.

Other forums for discussion of emerging issues will include regular consultations facilitated bytheDepartmentofEducationandTraining,includingannualconsultationeventssuchasthe Directions Conference focussing on provision of vocational education and careers advice in schools in May 2009 and the Let’s Talk VETconferenceinJuly2009.

QuestionsorfeedbackabouttheACT Skills Future Progress Report can be emailed to Chief Minister’sDepartmentviathe‘haveyoursay’linkontheCanberraPlan:TowardsourSecondCentury website: www.canberraplan.act.gov.au.

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act skills future progress report

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