As we settle into 2009 it is clear that this will be a difficult year as the global financial crisis affects more South Australians and as our already stretched services respond to the needs of people across the state.

In this context, one of the items on the agenda of a recent Board planning day was considering how the Board should focus its efforts over the next twelve months.  There are many issues to which the Board would like to respond, and many opportunities for action, so determining priorities and establishing realistic action plans is challenging!  However, areas the Board thinks particularly important in 2009 include:

• Advocating effectively to government and the education and training sectors for the workforce development needs of our industries in South Australia.
• Supporting the implementation of Training Packages in our industries.
• Supporting the development of good workforce planning in the industries.

More information is available on our website (scroll to 'Our Focus in 2009').

Also important to the Board this year are developing career and learning pathways, strengthening industry links with the schooling sector in the context of the opportunities provided by the new South Australian Certificate of Education, and supporting workforce reform, for example through activities such as the Allied Health Workforce Reform project.

During the lead-up to the inauguration of President Obama, I've noticed that people have been speculating on the difference it may make having a US President who understands first-hand the value of community building and who brings a different style to the role.  This, and the tough times we're facing, has reminded us as a community about the importance of connecting with others and sharing our collective strengths.  We know as a Board that to be of value to industry groups and effective as a voice for our industries, we will need to work more closely than ever with our stakeholders.  We look forward to doing so and invite your feedback and participation in our joint endeavour to ensure South Australias's health, community and correctional services industries have the workforce they require in the challenging times ahead.

Rob Bonner
Chairperson

Submission to the Training And Skills Commission

The SA Health & Community Services Skills Board is leading the development of an Industry Workforce Action Plan for the health, community and correctional services industries.  This is one of five Industry Workforce Action Plans commissioned in priority industries by the Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology.  As the first step in this process, the Board has prepared a submission to the Training and Skills Commission to support their work in developing a 5 year Skills and Workforce Development Plan for South Australia.  The Submission outlines the workforce development challenges facing the industries and presents possible strategies to respond to those challenges.  The Submission was developed with input from many organisations, including peak bodies and large and small service providers in fields as diverse as aged care, acute health care, youth services, mental health services, volunteer services, disability services and family support services.

The Board will have the opportunity to discuss the Submission with some members of the Training and Skills Commission in February 2009, and following that meeting, will determine next steps for the project.  The Skills Board will also use the Submission to guide its work.

We would value your feedback about the Submission itself and your thoughts on action that would help address the challenges the Submission outlines.  Please send your comments to Alison Arblaster, CEO, SAHCSSB.

The Skills Board would like to thank everyone who has participated in the preparation of this Submission, in particular the Reference Committee, Ms Anne Bosio (Senior Policy Officer, DFEEST), the survey respondents and the attendees of the Forum which was held on 11 November 2008.  Your contribution was vital in the writing of this Submission.

To download a copy of the either the  full Submission or the Executive Summary, please click on the appropriate link.

Full Submission           Executive Summary        

New Board Members

The SA Health & Community Services Skills Board would like to welcome two new Board Members

Paul Martin is the nominee for the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union, replacing Tony Snelson.  Paul has been the Lead Organiser for the Aged Care Team at the LHMU since December 2008, and was previously an organiser in the Manufacturing Team.

Karen Hannon is replacing Leigh Garrett as the nominee from SACOSS.

We welcome Karen and Paul to the team and look forward to a productive relationship.

The Board would like to take this opportunity to thank Leigh Garrett and Tony Snelson for their valuable contribution to the Skills Board and we wish them both all the best for the future.

New Staff Member

The SA Health & Community Services Skills Board has appointed Belinda Oswald as the Project Manager for the Allied Health Workforce Reform Project.

With a background in Social Work and Community Development projects, Belinda brings a wealth of experience with her.

The Skills Board welcomes Belinda to the team and wishes her all the best for the coming months.

Allied Health Workforce Reform Project.

The Allied Health Workforce Reform Project aims to develop and promote the role of an allied health assistant.  As demand for allied health services continues to rise with an ageing population, allied health assistants have the potential to increase productivity within allied health teams.  By providing support to an allied health professional, they also have the potential to improve the retention of allied health professionals as the work load is shared with work delegated according to a worker's competencies.

Over the last few months the project has moved to an exciting new stage with 28 existing assistants in public sector health units across the state enrolling to undertake a Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance.  Those involved will have their existing skills recognised, and then undertake additional training to complete the qualification.

The project is currently connecting with a number of non-government organisatons interested in working towards a common understanding and framework for the role of an allied health assistant and sharing the benefits of developing an allied health assistant workforce with other organisations.  A number of allied health assistants from these partner organisations will also complete either a Certificate III or IV in Allied Health Assistance as part of this project.

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

Southern Edge Project.

The Southern Edge project has been funded by the Targeting Skills Needs in Regions (TSNR) Program, to encourage and support young people in the southern suburbs of Adelaide, particularly those transitioning from school, to reach their full potential by providing them with vocational training as well as the tools to build self confidence, resilience and purpose.

The program will support at leat 50 young people from various backgrounds who have completed year 12 or equivalent and are not currently studying or undertaking full time employment.

Participants will have access to industry training, youth development activities and work experience.  This will build a solid foundation to enable participants to move into employment or further education and training in targeted industry sectors within the southern suburbs, in particular manufacturing, community services and health.

The program is to be managed through the Office for Youth and Southern Futures.  The Skills Board is a partner in the project, and any community services/health organisations in the southern suburbs interested in getting involved can contact Project Officer Rosh Devi for more information

CHC Training Package Implementation Program

The new CHC08 Training Package was ministerially endorsed on 12 December 2008.  To support the implementaton of the new Community Services Training Package, the CS&H Industry Skills Council will be facilitating a series of one day Forums in 2009

The Adelaide (SA) Implementation Forum will be held on:

3 March 2009 (Tuesday), Stamford Plaza, 150 North Terrace, Adelaide

Please use this link for more information on this event including the Preliminary Program, key outcomes of the day and to register.

Alternatively please contact Lisa Woodward, Sales and Events Coordinator at the CS&H Industry Skills Council at lisa.woodward@cshisc.com.au or 02 9270 6626

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