The Western Australian Government has released its first comprehensive report card for the State's workforce development plan, finding that record numbers of Western Australians are enrolled in Government-funded training positions.

 

The report examines the Skilling WA - A workforce development plan, which was released by the State Government in 2010 in response to high demand for skilled labour in the State's growing economy.

 

Training and Workforce Development Minister Murray Cowper said the report was developed with input from stakeholders - including government agencies, training councils and industry peak bodies - and detailed the progress of all Skilling WA priority actions.

 

Highlights of the report’s findings included: 

  • record levels of West Australians enrolled in Government-funded training, with more than 144,000 enrolments in 2011
  • workforce participation increasing through initiatives such as course fee exemptions for the unemployed and rebates on workers’ compensation premiums for employers of apprentices
  • barriers to workforce participation have been reduced, with increases to district allowances for regional public sector employees and removing the discrimination against older workers in Workers Compensation legislation
  • Aboriginal Workforce Development Centre Network increased with branches in key regional centres
  • initiatives to tackle youth unemployment has started  with activities, programs and training to better target the transition from secondary school to further education and training
  • investment in region building initiatives such as Pilbara Cities and SuperTowns, and the release and implementation of the State Government’s Affordable Housing Strategy
  • implementation of the ‘Western Australian skilled migration strategy’ to supplement the local workforce through targeted use of the National Migration Program.  This included successfully advocating for the designation of Perth as a region under the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme and increasing the number of visa nominations under the State Sponsored program. 

 

“This progress report shows that working collaboratively with other government agencies, industry and training providers delivers good outcomes, and I look forward to building upon the success of this program," Mr Cowper said.

 

The full report can be found here