News Flash

On Monday 7th August, 2006 Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education Paul Caica met with PSA President Lindsay Oxlad, Vice President Bev Martin and Assistant Chief Industrial Officer Gayle Peak.

The PSA sought the meeting with the Minister to discuss this Government's commitment to increasing the number of trainees and apprenticeships in the public sector.  The aging public sector workforce makes it imperative that initiatives be put in place to ensure that the state public sector becomes the employer of choice for young people.

The PSA is concerned that traineeship programs maybe delayed because of the late budget cycle.  Agencies are not prepared to commit to employing trainees and apprentices without their agency budgets confirmed.

The PSA discussed with the Minister the difficulties experienced in rural and remote South Australia if the State Government reduces its commitment to providing traineeship and apprenticeship opportunities.  Often local industry look to the Government as the role model, if Government does not provide opportunities local industry is also unlikely to make a commitment to training.

A recent study reveals that the State Government provides employment for 6.38% of the population in South Australia.  Clearly the community has an expectation that the State Government will provide job opportunities for young people.  The Traineeship program has been significant in bringing young people into the State Public Sector. 

The State Government's strategic plan identifies skills shortage as a significant issue for South Australia.  However, TAFE members receive very mixed messages from Government on the one hand being required to address skill shortages in both the short and long term and then on the other hand having budgets significantly cut.

It is well known that Industry employ trainees primarily at the Certificate 1 and 2 levels.  These qualifications provide people with low paid, low skilled jobs.  There is no commitment from employers generally to address skills shortages.

If the public sector provided extended traineeships and apprentices in skill shortage areas (in the form of cadetships), this model could then be recommended to industry as a method of addressing skills shortages.  Without the commitment from Government it is unlikely that industry will take up the responsibility.

Whilst the Minister recognised the concerns outlined by the PSA he was not in a position to reveal what plans the Government has for future traineeships in the public sector.

14 August 2006