Spreading the Wealth: the impact of a boom on regionsA South Australian and Western Australian Perspective: Spreading the Wealth: the impact of a boom on regions A South Australian and Western Australian Perspective Chris Harrison Director Workforce Development


Slide3: State Governments’ Strategic policy drivers and directions for Workforce Development


Slide4: During September 2007: Full-time and part-time employment increased The participation rate rose The unemployment rate fell to 4.7% What is the current labour market situation?


Regional Unemployment: Regional Unemployment Unemployment rates in regional South Australia are lower than the state average


Expanding Growth Sectors: Expanding Growth Sectors


Slide7: Direct Labour Demand by Occupation from Major Projects South Australia - 2006 to 2011 (annual average) Expanding Occupations


Slide8: Issues facing Employers and Employees Mismatch in the labour market Employers cannot find workers with the skills they need People of working age cannot find work; cannot find as much work as they would like; or are working in jobs for which they are over-qualified Enter Workforce Development


Slide10: SA Workforce Development Strategy A High Skill Economy Quality Employment Better Workforce Planning A skilled workforce Jobs through business & economic growth High performance workplaces Responsive learning systems Access to learning and jobs Flexibility for workers Fair and sustainable work Underpinned by Research excellence Better information and planning systems Coordinated government action


Slide11: Increase the capacity of employers to attract, retain and develop the workforce Maximise the employment outcomes from the ‘expanding growth’ sectors Workforce Development SASP T1.10 Jobs SASP T1.11 Unemployment SASP T1.12 Employment Participation SASP T6.15 Learning or Earning Aims to:


Slide12: Workforce Development Achieves this by: Increasing the total number of persons employed on average by 10,000 per annum Increasing the number of 15-24 year olds in learning and/or work by 7,500 per annum


Slide13: Workforce Development How will we do this? Work with industry through Industry Skills Boards and with other Government Agencies To help them attract, retain, up skill and re skill more employees SA Works in the Regions projects Assisting persons who have the most difficulty gaining employment


Slide14: Labour Market Trends People who want to work more hours In 2006 there were approximately 252 500 (or 20%) people in South Australia who were employed and wanted to work more hours; unemployed; and not in the labour force but wanted to work Indigenous Unemployment Despite indigenous unemployment decreasing, there is still a large source of potential labour available


Slide15: Youth full-time unemployment 15-24 Over the past year, youth full-time unemployment has increased by less than 1 percentage point (350 people)


Slide16: Workforce Development Directorate Programs for people struggling to gain employment are most useful if they: Incorporate affordable formal training/skill development opportunities Targeted to meet job opportunities of a particular region Directly tied to opportunities for work experience or formal employment Consider employment hopes and preferences Incorporate self-development


Slide17: The workforce development context Regional Context


Slide18: Focus for Panel Discussion How can we capitalise on the current economic climate to develop integrated state-wide policies with strong economic and social outcomes?