Welcome to the August instalment of thisEdition.

It's an exciting time at the Skills Board, with an increased emphasis on skills and workforce development, both in South Australia and nationally, creating some positive opportunities to help us overcome the many challenges facing our sectors.

The Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education recently affirmed a strengthened role for the state's nine Industry Skills Boards within the Government's skills strategy for the state. An associated $9 million funding package over the next five years was also announced.  This will provide $200,000 per annum for each Board.  The Economic Development Board's Review of Skills and Workforce Development in South Australia, (the Keating Report), also endorsed the role of the Boards in providing industry advice on workforce matters to government.  These announcements provide the Board with greater security as it moves forward.  The Keating report can be found on the Workforce Information Service Website (www.workforceinfoservice.sa.gov.au).

Over the next few months our priorities will include leading the development of the inaugural Industry Workforce Action Plan and supporting industry to access training funds for existing workers through the Productivity Places Program. Of course, we are also looking forward to the national Industry Skills Council's conference Making a Difference...The Education Revolution - It's Happening Conference 2008 coming soon in October.

As the new CEO of the Skills Board I'm thoroughly enjoying the opportunity of meeting with the remarkable people that make up the health and community services sectors, and learning more about our industries.  Thank you for your generosity and I look forward to working closely with you and making a difference for our services. 

Alison Arblaster
Chief Executive Officer

Industry Workforce Action Plan
In accordance with the Skills Board's role to provide advice on workforce trends and skills needs, and to identify strategies to help meet those needs, it will be taking a lead role in the development of the inaugural Health & Community Services Industry Workforce Action Plan.  This plan is being prepared for the new Training and Skills Commission, and is one of the major pieces of work on the Board's current agenda.

A reference group has been established to guide the process, consisting of:

• Alison Arblaster, SA Health & Community Services Skills Board (project manager)
• Rob Bonner, Australian Nursing Federation (chair)
• Anne Bosio, Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology (executive officer)
• Professor Ed Carson, UniSA
• Tarnya Cruickshank, Business SA
• Miriam Daley, Department of Education and Children's Services
• Leigh Garrett, Offenders Aid & Rehabilitation Services of SA Inc
• Kate Hawke, SA Health
• Katrine Hildyard, Australian Services Union
• Tyrone Hodges, Department for Families and Communities
• Gayle Peak, Public Service Association
• Carol Saville, Department for Correctional Services
• Tony Snelson, Liquor, Hospitality & Miscellaneous Union
• Margaret Thornton, Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology.

The plan is due with the Training and Skills Commission by the end of November, so the timeframe is a short one.  The group is therefore likely to draw heavily on the many existing sources of information about our workforce and the challenges we face.  At the same time it will aslo be important for the reference group to ensure that the diversity of needs across our industries is reflected in the plan, and that people have a chance to contribute to its development.

One of the pieces of work on which the reference group may draw is research commissioned at the national level by the Community Services & Health Industry Skills Council on factors impacting on workforce development in our industries.  This research, undertaken for the Industry Skills Council by the Workplace Research Centre at the University of Sydney, discusses seven significant factors regarded by the researchers as 'preconditions' or enablers for strengthening workforce skills.  These include such things as the funding environment, the form and size of organisations, employment structures, job design, employee receptiveness and capacity to train, the role of professional groups, and models of service.  If you are interested in having a look at the research please click here.

Productivity Places Program
Another exciting development is the rollout of the Australian Government's Skilling Australia policy.  As part of this, the Productivity Places Program is designed to provide additional training places across the country over the next five years.  Funds to support training are available both for job seekers and for existing workers.

The program for upskilling existing workers will start soon in South Australia with the marjority of funds being provided by the Australian and State governments, with an industry contribution of 10% required.  The program will be administered through the Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology (DFEEST), and information is available on the PPP team's website.  In addition the Skills Board has arranged some information sessions at which a member of the DFEEST team will provide a short presentation and respond to questions.

Information about the sessions is available here

List of Priority Qualifications eligible for PPP Funding

The approach that's been taken in developing the PPP program for existing workers emphasises responsiveness to industry needs and the development of partnerships between health and community services organisations and training providers.  Applications for funding will be required to demonstrate industry support, and one way in which that can be done is with a letter of support from the Skills Board.  We're hopeful that the PPP funding will provide support for tackling some of the hard workforce development issues in our sectors.

Community Services Training Package
The revised Training Package, providing the standards and framework for community services qualifications, will go to industry and State Training Authorities in September for endorsement. More information about the Training Package is available from the national Community Services & Health Industry Skills Council.

Position Vacant: Project Manager - Allied Health Workforce Reform
Are you

• Excited by implementing change?
• Experienced in managing projects?
• Energised by collaborating and connecting across sectors?

The Skills Board is seeking to appoint a Project Manager for the Allied Health Workforce Reform project, the purpose of which is to support the develoopment and implementation of new and emerging allied health assistant roles across the public and private sector in acute and community settings.

Please click here for a copy of the Job and Person Specification.  Further information is available from Chief Executive Officer, Alison Arblaster 8362 9311 or email alison@sahcssb.com.au

Applications addressing the criteria in the person specification to Maxine Burgess by email: maxine@sahcssb.com.au or by mail: SAHCSSB, 100 Wright Street, Adelaide, SA 5000.  Applications must be received by close of business Tuesday 9th September 2008.

Disability Sector Workforce Development Project
With the conclusion of the Disablility Sector Workforce Development project in sight, most of the project's planned activities are now complete.

The priority of this project was to support leadership development in the Disability Sector. The Skills Board developed three leadership development programs; the Leadership Development Network, the Leadership Development Training Program in partnership with TAFESA, and the Change Management Program. 

The Leadership Development Network was piloted to assist middle and senior leaders' development, and to strengthen their leadership potential and skills.  It consisted of a monthly half-day workshop and one-to-one coaching sessions with the facilitator.  All participants found the program to be extremely useful.

The Leadership Development Training Progam, developed in partnership with TAFESA, is a series of workshops which will comprise part of an Advanced Dipoma of Community Services Management, with possible links to the Vocational Graduate Diploma of Community Sector Management (under development).  With three workshops still to come it is not too late for leaders/managers to sign up.  Please click here for further information.

The Change Management Program was a highly successful series of events facilited by Dr Kevin Paton from the UK, with over 100 particpants attending over five days.  The objective of the program was to strengthen and upskill leaders from the Disability sector with knowledge and strategies on change management and organisational development.  Participants were given not only a greater understanding of the different levels and approaches to change management, but also the opportunity to discuss a diverse range of issues.

As part of the Disability project the Skills Board is currently gathering examples of "good practices" in our sector.  These will be promoted on our website in the coming weeks. 

The Disability Project has been funded by the Government of South Australia through the South Australia Works initiative

Allied Health Workforce Reform Project
The project aims to support the development and implementation of new and emerging allied health assistant roles, across the public and private sector in acute and community settings. These roles have historically developed in response to local needs, with allied health assistants undertaking a variety of designated tasks under the supervision of allied health professionals. The project aims to support a more coordinated approach to the development of this workforce in South Australia. The project is a collaborative one, with SA Health playing a lead role in relation to developing and piloting models that can form the basis of learning by other industry sectors.

A literature review exploring such matters as the definition, scope of practice, training and supervision of allied health assistants was commissioned from the Centre for Allied Health Evidence (CAHE) at the University of South Australia. This is now complete and preliminary work on a follow-up Delphi study has begun.

A model for the integraton of the new allied health assistant role into existing health structures has been drafted for discussion by the Department of Health project officer assigned to the project, and it is currently with a Public Sector reference group for consultation.

Other activity has included establishing partnerships with Registered Training Organisations to provide training and assessment services for existing workers and new entrants, and developing a school to work transition strategy.

Kerryn Smith, the project manager based with the Skills Board, has now left the Skills Board to take up a position at the Defence Teaming Centre.  We thank Kerryn for her sterling work with this project and wish her every success in her future endeavours.

The Allied Health project has been funded by the Government of South Australia through the South Australia Works initiative and the Australian Government through the Council of Australian Governments Skills Package - Regional Initiatives (Targeting Skills Needs in Regions program) 

Making a Difference... The Education Revolution - It's Happening Conference 2008
The Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council annual national conference is taking place on 15-16 October 2008 at the Adelaide Hilton.  Time is running out to take advantage of the early bird registration offer so click here for further details

SA Training Awards 2008
The 2008 South Australian Training Awards Gala Dinner is being held on 5th September at the Adelaide Convention Centre.  The Training and Skills Commission Award for Workforce Development is one of those that will be presented on the night.  For further information and to download a registration form please click here. 

COAG Productivity Agenda Working Group - Early Years Learning and Early Childhood Educaton and Care Consultaton Forums
You are invited to contribute to the development of new quality frameworks for early childhood education and care by taking part in consultations scheduled to occur during August and September.

You can contribute your views by:

1. attending a consultation forum.  More information, as well as dates and locations, is available at www.deewr.gov.au\COAGforums. Please register for the forums by phoning 1800 220 425 or by sending an email to ECECQualityReformRegistrations@deewr.gov.au
2. sending a written submission by visiting www.deewr.gov.au\COAGdiscussionpaper or sending an email to ECECQualityReformSubmission@deewr.gov.au

The consultations will address the following topics: integrated quality standards in early childhood education and care; a quality ratings system; efficient and integrated regulatory arrangements and the Early Years Learning Framework.  The consultations will be guided by the discussion paper A national quality framework for early childhood education and care: a discussion paper, which is available at www.deewr.gov.au\COAGdiscussionpaper

2008 ACSA National Conference
Aged and Community Services Australia are holding their national conference at the Adelaide Convention Centre 28th September - 1st October 2008.  This conference offers an excellent program of international and well-known national speakers and will provide a range of opportunities for people within the industry, and for people working in industries with an interest in providing services to the aged care sector.

For further information and to register please click here

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