• Aboriginal Workforce Development Centres achieving real outcomes
• Training Together-Working Together placing real people in real jobs

Training and Workforce Development Minister Peter Collier has outlined the State Government's achievements in Aboriginal training and workforce development and released an update on the progress of the Training Together-Working Together Aboriginal Workforce Development Strategy.

Mr Collier said the Liberal-National Government was creating tangible opportunities for Aboriginal people in the current landscape of high demand for skills through Aboriginal Workforce Development Centres set up in Perth, Broome, Bunbury, Geraldton and Kalgoorlie-Boulder.

"As of late March 2012, a total of 251 individual Aboriginal job seekers had been placed in employment, and another 94 in training," he said.

"Active partnerships have been developed with hundreds of employers and service providers across the State, ensuring real people are able to find real jobs."

The Minister said the Training Together-Working Together (TTWT) Aboriginal Workforce Development Strategy, released in 2010, was a pathway to ensure that Aboriginal people were able to connect with job opportunities, while employers were aware of funding sources and programs.

"The Department of Training and Workforce Development adopted a whole-of-agency approach to identifying and addressing the needs of Aboriginal West Australians," he said.

"These centres operate on both sides of the equation, linking Aboriginal people with job opportunities and offering career guidance, and providing employers with advice on culturally sensitive recruitment and retention strategies. Each centre has its own local steering committee with strong Aboriginal representation to ensure that the needs of each community are recognised.

"A website has also been established to highlight a range of useful resources for job seekers and employers, including video clips of successful Aboriginal role models who can inspire young people in particular to take advantage of employment opportunities."

Fact File

• As of March 2012, a total of 251 individual Aboriginal job seekers had been placed in employment, and another 94 in training

Minister's office - 6552 6300

• Student satisfaction with State Training Providers very high
• State Government training programs delivering for students

Securing employment is the main motivator for West Australians undertaking training programs at registered State Training Providers, a survey of students has revealed.

Training and Workforce Development Minister Peter Collier said the survey also showed students had extremely high satisfaction levels with their training providers and lecturers.

"Of the more than 10,700 students who completed the survey, 82 per cent offered employment related reasons, such as gaining employment, starting a new career or up-skilling, as their main motivation for undertaking training," Mr Collier said.

The Minister said the survey revealed 91 per cent of employment-based students, including apprentices and trainees, believed the training provided by their workplace supervisor would improve their job prospects. Students also strongly endorsed their lecturers with 86 per cent agreeing lecturers had a good knowledge of current industry standards and practices.

"This proves State Training Providers are on the right track with the programs they deliver and support they provide students right across the State," he said.

Mr Collier said many people could now be assessed on their existing skills and knowledge to help them gain a formal qualification.

"It is good to see the process for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) has shown big improvements over the past few years," he said.

"Eighty-four per cent of respondents who applied for RPL received it, up from 64 per cent two years ago, while 69 per cent of RPL respondents described the application process as easy."

The survey, conducted on behalf of the Department of Training and Workforce Development, showed 2011's overall student satisfaction rate with State Training Providers was 88.4 per cent, up from 86.4 per cent in 2010.

The Minister said satisfaction was highest among Aboriginal students and apprentices and trainees, at more than 90 per cent and 89.4 per cent respectively.

"Over the past two years the State Government has rolled out a strategy to increase State Training Providers' independence and operational discretion allowing them to be more competitive and responsive to changes in the economy and industry demands," he said.

"It is encouraging to see that the students' positive feedback reflects these improvements."

Fact File

• A copy of the survey can be found at http://www.dtwd.wa.gov.au

Minister's office - 6552 6300

• Auditor General report into services for Aboriginal students welcomed
• State Government committed to Aboriginal training

Training and Workforce Development Minister Peter Collier has welcomed an Auditor General's report on support services for Aboriginal students that recognises the excellent work undertaken by the Liberal-National Government in the area of Aboriginal training.

Mr Collier said the Auditor General examined whether the support services offered by State Training Providers to Aboriginal students were appropriate, whether they were utilised, if they achieved their intended outcomes and if they were delivered successfully.

"I found the report overall to be extremely positive, in that it finds the support provided for Aboriginal students by the Department of Training and Workforce Development and our State Training Providers is effective and makes a difference to individuals, communities and employers," he said.

"The State Training Providers have many programs and courses that remove barriers to training for Aboriginal students such as tutoring, preparatory courses, literacy and numeracy programs and scholarships.

"They are also employing Aboriginal people who are crucial in meeting the needs of students and delivering training in community settings.

"The end result is that more Aboriginal students are completing the units of study they're enrolled in, and increasingly obtaining formal qualifications."

The Minister said the audit identified some issues and opportunities for improvement, including overcoming the difficulties State Training Providers faced in meeting the needs of Aboriginal students who required assistance from non-training based organisations.

"Challenges such as mental health issues, drug and alcohol problems and financial, housing and legal issues fall outside of the remit of State Training Providers, however they acknowledge they still have a role to play in the bigger picture of developing the indigenous workforce and removing as many barriers as they can," he said.

Mr Collier said the last few years had seen significant improvements in training participation and outcomes for Aboriginal people in Western Australia.

Fact File

• Since 2008, there has been a 12% increase in Aboriginal people enrolling in training
• Between 2008 and 2011 there has been a 67% increase in the number of nationally recognised qualifications completed by Aboriginal people in WA
• A copy of the report is available at http://www.audit.wa.gov.au/

Minister's office - 6552 6300

• $3million invested in KTI campus at Fitzroy Crossing
• Liberal-National Govt committed to providing training in regional WA

Training and Workforce Development Minister Peter Collier has officially opened the new Kimberley Training Institute (KTI) campus at Fitzroy Crossing.

Mr Collier said the $3million investment, which was funded by the State Government through the Department of Training and Workforce Development, ensured the Fitzroy Crossing community remained the focal point for vocational education and training services in the region.

"By investing in new facilities, KTI can increase the number of courses on offer in the Fitzroy Crossing area, including Business Studies, Information Technology and Literacy and Numeracy, as well as access programs for youth," he said.

"It also underpins the campus's role as a base for the extensive range of programs being delivered across the Fitzroy Valley region and allows KTI to deliver flexible programs to remote communities by linking with other campuses and agencies."

The new facility provides a friendly training environment for students and staff, as well as offering space to meet demand for training in support of industry growth.

The campus includes:

• an administration building, with reception, offices, lecturers' room, tea room, conference room, ablutions and storage area
• a multipurpose classroom
• kitchen facilities, computer rooms and general classrooms
• an undercover work area
• a deck area and student facilities.

"These new facilities at Fitzroy Crossing are another step forward in the exciting era of training and workplace development for regional Western Australia," the Minister said.

Fact File

• Govt has invested $3m in new training facilities at KTIs Fitzroy Crossing campus, including an administration building, multi-purpose classroom, kitchen facilities, computer rooms, general classrooms, undercover work area, deck area and student facilities

Minister's office - 6552 6300

• Solar panel installation starts at Greenough River Solar Farm
• Major construction milestone reached at Greenough River Solar Farm
• Joint venture between Verve Energy and private sector reaching maturity

Energy Minister Peter Collier today marked the commencement of a major construction milestone at Australia's largest solar photovoltaic power project by assisting with the installation of the first solar PV table at Greenough River Solar Farm.

Construction of the 10-megawatt solar farm 50km south of Geraldton began four months ago and has focused to date on the installation of above ground electrical works and structural elements that will support the 150,000 solar panels across an area of 80ha.

The Liberal-National Government has committed $20million, including $10million from the Royalties for Regions program, to the Greenough River Solar Farm, which is expected to open in July/August 2012.

Mr Collier said the Greenough River Solar project would be a major source of renewable energy and a benchmark example of how solar power could be farmed and distributed to the wider community and industry.

"No other jurisdiction in Australia has done what we are doing here in the Mid-West region of Western Australia, and this development clearly illustrates that, once again, we are setting the standard for the rest of the nation," he said.

"The Greenough River Solar project will generate enough electricity for 3,000 average homes while displacing 20,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas each year, which is the equivalent of taking 4,000 vehicles off the road.

"There is an appetite for solar energy and an expectation that governments and electricity generators like Verve Energy will build solar farms and other renewable energy projects. I look forward to returning here in a few months to open this magnificent development."

Fact File

• Greenough River Solar Farm is a joint venture between Verve Energy and GE Energy Financial Services
• It is located about 50km south-east of Geraldton, near the community of Walkaway
• 150,000 PV panels will be installed on tables fitted to 15,000 steel posts across an area of 80ha and produce about 10MW of electricity
• Project information is attached

Minister's office - 6552 6300

• 2012 Skills West Expo to be held August 10-12, an admission free event
• Expo is strategic partnership between State Govt and The West Australian

For anyone seeking information about career and training choices, the 2012 Skills West Expo promises to be the biggest and most informative event of the year.

A strategic partnership between the Liberal-National Government and The West Australian, the 2012 Skills West Expo will be held at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre between Friday August 10 and Sunday August 12 and feature more than 100 exhibitors providing first-hand information for students, job seekers, employers and training providers.

Training and Workforce Development Minister Peter Collier said the Skills West Expo was a great event for people of all ages and backgrounds, and in all stages of life to access valuable information to shape their futures.

"In 2011, more than 22,000 people visited the free Skills West Expo and were able to meet representatives of State and private sector training providers as well as employers," he said.

"Three thousand school students attended the opening day and were able to see just what a remarkable range of training opportunities are available when they finish school. I expect we will have more attendees this year."

Skills West Expo was first held in 2010, as a platform to link the information and promotions provided by exhibitors with career pathways and opportunities for the public.

This year's event will be the third Skills West Expo, and a wide range of industries will be represented, including resources and energy, mining, hospitality, construction, healthcare, marine, aviation, emergency services, manufacturing, retail and information technology. Career advisers will also be on hand to provide career advice.

"Many people left last year's event with very definite plans about courses, study options or new training and skills pathways to pursue," Mr Collier said.

"This year's event will again have extensive floor space provided for interactive exhibits, including 'Try-a-Trade' activities.

"Anyone who has attended previous Skills West expos will tell you there's a real buzz about the place, as people of all ages find out more and more about their training and employment options.

"The level of activity at the expo in many ways mirrors the State's economy; there's a lot happening, and there are all sorts of opportunities for people looking at their career options."

Fact File

• Skills West Expo first held in 2010
• Links information, promotions by exhibitors to career pathways, opportunities for public
• Expo will feature more than 100 exhibitors; more than 22,000 expected to attend

Minister's office - 6552 6300