Board Workplan

The State Training Board prepares an annual Workplan comprising of the key functions, initiatives, and taskforces of the Board. The following provides a brief overview on the Board’s work plan for 2009.

Implement new industry training advisory arrangements (referred to as Training Councils)
There has been a major restructure of the industry training advisory bodies with the establishment of 10 new Training Councils. These Training Councils will undertake a high level strategic role with industry and the training sector and a leadership role in developing workforce development plans and strategies to assist industry to address current and future skills shortages. The Board has an ongoing role of recognition and implementation of the new network.

Establishment and Variation of apprenticeships and traineeships sub committee
The Establishment and Variation of Apprenticeships Committee was established in 2009 as part of the amendments to the Vocational Education and Training Act 1996 that came into effect on 10 June 2009.

The Establishment and Variation of Apprenticeships Committee considers submissions from Training Councils relating to the classification of prescribed vocational education and training qualifications and provides advice and recommendations to the Minister for Training on the establishment and variation of apprenticeships and traineeships in Western Australia.

Aboriginal School Based Training sub committee
The Aboriginal School Based Training program is a key initiative of the Department of Education and Training aimed at driving key improvements to school based training opportunities for Indigenous students in Years 10, 11 and 12. The Board has established a sub committee to provide high level strategic direction and advice for the program and actively encourages increased engagement and support from all stakeholders.

Review of the Apprenticeship Support Services in Western Australia
The Board will undertake a review of the apprenticeship support services in Western Australia to investigate the interface between ApprentiCentre and Australian Apprenticeship Centres to reduce duplication and streamline services within existing Commonwealth contractual arrangements. The Board will recommend an appropriate model for apprenticeship support services in Western Australia.

TRAINING WA: Planning for the Future 2009-2018
In May 2009, the Minister for Training released a plan for the future of Western Australia's training system for the next 10 years. The plan aims to transform the State's training system and position Western Australia to respond to future employment demands. It includes immediate, medium and long term initiatives as the blueprint for the Government's investment in the State's training system. The State Training Board, will oversee the implementation of the strategies from the plan including the immediate, medium and long term initiatives.

Indigenous Employment and Training Initiative committee
The Minister for Training has requested the State Training Board to develop a proposal for a way forward that will significantly boost the levels of workforce participation and rates of employment for Indigenous people in Western Australia. This plan will be launched by the Minister at a breakfast forum on 1 September 2009.

Priority Target Groups
Building upon preliminary research undertaken by the Board in 2007 that identified high levels of underemployment for groups of Western Australians in specific regional areas, the project will examine the socio-economic factors and demographic characteristics influencing participation in training and identify strategies to increase the labour force participation of the identified groups.

Greens Skills project
A body of work will be undertaken in conjunction with the university sector to identify emerging ‘green skills’ industries over the next ten years and to identify likely infrastructure projects and the demand for ‘green skills’ for the future.

WorldSkills project
The State Training Board will establish a committee to strategically lead the promotion and championing of the WorldSkills competition programs at a state, national and international level. The committee will generate increased support and involvement from industry in the programs.

State Training Plan
The State Training Board is to provide a three year draft State Training Plan to the Minister for Training. The plan outlines supply and demand of skills, indicates skill shortages at industry and regional levels that informs the allocation of public funds. A sub committee will strategically position the plan.