Welcome to 2006, an important year in the growth of the Skills Board. We will be holding a planning day on 1^st February and are developing an action plan for 2006-07. This is an important occassion for us in determining how we build our relationships with industry, with government and in setting the future agenda.

Already in the short time the Board has been operational there has been significant activity. We have conducted a careers project in Childcare, our Mental Health project is underway, and discussions have been held regarding a project in the Disability sector. The Board is cognicent of its function as an industry led organisation and in coming months the development of industry consultative standing committees is a high priority. We look forward to expanding our industry network in 2006.

Ian Heard
Chairperson

Aging Workforce - Problem or Solution?

Whilst it is often stated that Australia is at or near full employment, the participation rates in the labour market (63.8%) is below comparable OECD countries. This also applies in the area of mature aged workers. My Business (Dec05/Jan06) reports “the aging of the existing workforce and the reduction in new entrants means that more reliance is going to be placed on older workers in the future.” By 2012 it is estimated 85% of all workforce growth will be people aged over 45 (up from 32% in 1992).

The Health & Community Services sector already has, on average, one of the oldest workforces. As an old HR adage says “the best workforce you have is the one you’ve already got” however, if mature aged workers are going to be in greater demand the sector is going to need to focus on staff retention in order to compete with other industries. DFEEST are holding a number of seminars on valuing older workers. If you are interested in attending contact philippou.mary@saugov.sa.gov.au

Mental Health

The Mental Health Coalition of SA have been funded by the Minister for Further Education Employment Science & Technology to provide a series of Psychosocial Rehabilitation training sessions based on curriculum developed by VICSERV. The workshops commence in February 2006 and will be delivered 4 times over 15 months. The MHCSA have also released their Mental Health Policy Statement. To view the policy or training calendar visit their website www.mhcsa.org.au

Healthy Business

Two Health & Aged Care businesses have made the Top 100 South Australia companies based on a survey in the In Business magazine. Adelaide Community Healthcare Alliance Inc was ranked at 24 with Masonic Homes Inc listing at 80. The list didn’t include our public institutions whose budget would have put them at the top of the list. Just as a matter of interest Port Power rated at 79 three places ahead of its rival the Adelaide Crows.

Mental Health Care Workforce Development Project

Diana MacMullin has been appointed as the Project Officer for the Mental Health Care Project. Diana has worked for many years in the training sector and has a passionate commitment to training and innovative approaches to capacity building. She has a background in project management and has worked in both the community services and health sectors.

The project is focused on the non government/ non acute mental health services and aims to increase the skills and availability of the workforce to meet immediate and future needs and to create a best practice workforce development model. Stage 1 of the project involves extensive consultation with industry, Registered Training Organisations, employees and with consumers and their carers. Engaging these groups will identify workforce issues and provide a complete picture of the issues and trends in the sector. It will also provide the perspectives of all parties into the future mental health care improvements.

To register interest in the project contact the Skills Board on 8362 9311 or email info@sahcssb.com.au

Part-time Workers

The Skills Board has been invited to participate in a project which aims to better service the needs of business with part-time employment issues and part-time workers. An initial survey is being conduct for employers to indicate their preferences for seeking part-time employees. If you are an employer please complete the survey or forward the link to a health or community services employer http://FreeOnlineSurveys.com/rendersurvey.asp?id=139160

The survey concludes on 21 January 2006.

Making a Difference… 2006

After the success of the inaugural national conference in June, 2005 in Sydney, the Community Services & Health Industry Skills Council (ISC) invites you to be a part of our 2nd annual conference in 2006. The conference and exhibition will be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre in sunny Queensland on 6 & 7 June 2006. The first conference was a great success with over 270 attendees and this year’s event will be even bigger.

The 2006 conference will focus on the concept of Building the Future CS&H Workforce on a Global, National and Local level. The program will feature international speakers including John Rogers, CEO Skills for Health UK, Dr Anne McBride and Dr Paula Hyde, from the University of Manchester.

Click here for the preliminary Conference Program or book now for Early Bird Registration special of $600 (incl. GST) available until 31 March 2006

Training Sector Forum 2006

Expressions of Interest for presenters and exhibitors for the 2006 Training Sector Forum close on 17 February 2006. The Training Sector Forum – Making Connections Developing our Workforce will be held on 1 & 2 June at the Hilton Adelaide. For further information contact Christian Fenech at DFEEST on 08 8226 9437 or complete an online application at www.training.sa.gov.au/OVETevents

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