2. Jobs and Skills
This document is part of a series of
Building a Stronger South Australia
policy initiatives from the
Government of South Australia.
1. Future Fund
2. Jobs and Skills
For more information visit:
www.premier.sa.gov.au/strongersa
FUTURE
JOBS AND
SKILLS
FUND
2
Message from Jay
It makes me incredibly proud that
Our jobs and skills package will
about 15,000 more students have
give more South Australians the
stayed at school to Year 12 over
opportunity to learn or earn and
the last 10 years because of
move towards a more secure
improved school retention rates.
job future.
We now require all young people
Together, we will build a stronger
to learn or earn until they turn
future for South Australia.
17, and 4,600 young South
Australians have learned a trade
while still at school.
Jay Weatherill
Our Skills for All initiative has given
Having a good secure
job and being able to
afford a comfortable
lifestyle for our families
gives us a sense of
purpose and freedom
in our lives.
That’s why the State Government
has made creating more jobs for
South Australians a major focus
over the past decade.
Today, we have around 120,000
more jobs than in 2002 – that’s
120,000 more opportunities
for South Australians to earn
an income.
Alongside that, we’ve worked to
more South Australians the chance
to get a qualification and we have
achieved our target of 100,000
more training places well ahead of
schedule.
But there are still people in our
community who do not experience
the dignity and security that
employment brings.
Others are feeling insecure about
their future work prospects as
South Australian industries change
and global economic conditions
are felt here at home.
The State Government will not
leave these South Australians
behind. That’s why we’ve fought to
protect jobs at Holden and Nyrstar.
lift the skill level of more South
Australians because we know that
better skills gives people a better
chance of getting a job.
Building a Stronger South Australia
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Premier of South Australia
Our vision
To create more jobs, prioritise training for the unemployed and support
vulnerable workers as the State’s economy changes and grows.
Why are we doing this?
The South Australian economy is
undergoing major transformation.
What does this mean
for you?
•
work locally and earn
While jobs are being lost in
an income
traditional industries, others
are being created in emerging
More opportunities to get
•
If you don’t have a qualification
industries. This has created
or are looking for a job, you’ll
exciting new opportunities but
get priority access to a
also uncertainty for many workers
training place
and their families.
There is a need to equip workers
now with the skills they will need
to succeed in the emerging job
opportunities in South Australia, and
to support workers as they make
the transition to jobs of the future.
Building a Stronger South Australia
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What will we do?
The State Government
will introduce new or
expanded initiatives to
get more people into
jobs, more people into
training and provide
more support for
retrenched workers
who need new skills
to find work.
•
experiencing inter-generational
joblessness in northern
restructuring over the next three
to entering the workforce
years will be supported to gain
new skills as they prepare to
explore new ways for
transition to a new job in a
businesses that win
new industry.
government contracts
to employ local people,
The State Government will:
especially those with barriers
to entering the workforce.
•
More training opportunities
Australians over the next three
Goal: To support up to 20,000
years and will be implemented
South Australians without a job
immediately.
or a formal qualification to gain
to help up to 8,000 South
Australian workers to retrain
and move to a new job.
a skill over the next three years.
Goal: To support more than
14,000 people without a job to
The State Government will:
•
introduce a new Skills for
find work in their local communities
Jobs Training Entitlement to
over the next three years.
give up to 20,000 people
who have the greatest need
The State Government will:
•
for skills training priority
access to courses to gain
partner with local government
a qualification
to bring forward shovel-ready
projects in local council areas
to support job creation in
local communities
•
work directly with local
industries and employers to
provide training, intensive
career advice and mentoring
will reach more than 40,000 South
More job opportunities
for jobs of the future
industries affected by economic
members overcome barriers
•
Support for workers to retrain
Goal: Up to 8,000 workers in
Adelaide to help family
The $120 million strategy, which
includes $12 million of new funds,
work with 350 families
•
subsidise training for workers
in manufacturing businesses
seeking to upskill their
workforce for new innovations
that increase productivity.
create and fill up to 14,000
more job opportunities over
the next three years in four
communities with the
highest need
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A new $120 million
Sustainable Industries
Education Centre, to
open in early 2014, is
being built at Tonsley
Park, with South
Australia’s universities,
TAFE SA and industries,
to transform training in
the building, construction
and water industries.
What have we done so far?
Jobs
During the past decade, South
Australia has enjoyed continuous
economic growth and about
120,000 more jobs have been
created. The majority of these jobs
have been full-time.
In the 2012-13 financial year,
South Australia’s rate of full-time
jobs growth was highest in the
nation, with the overall number of
full-time jobs created second only
behind New South Wales.
There are more South Australians
in the workforce who are actively
engaged or seeking work. Since
2002, South Australia’s participation
rate has increased from 60.4 per
cent to 62.6 per cent.
The State Government’s ‘Big Build’
of infrastructure has been critical in
helping to protect jobs against a
backdrop of continuing global
economic uncertainty.
South Australia has more than
300 major projects either under
construction or in the pipeline
valued at around $94 billion.
The government’s $10.1 billion
investment in new hospitals,
schools, roads and rail lines over
the next four years will support
8,700 jobs in 2013-14 alone.
Government support for major
South Australian employers like
Holden and Nyrstar is helping to
protect thousands of jobs while
the companies work towards more
sustainable futures.
The State Government has
supported small businesses by
The State Government has also
brought forward governmentfunded housing projects and
offered financial incentives to
encourage more people to build
new homes to stimulate the
housing construction sector.
As at 31 August, more than 2,650
Housing Construction Grants or
stamp duty exemptions for people
who buy apartments off-the-plan
have been awarded.
A $10.1 billion spend on
new hospitals, roads and
rail lines over the next four
years will support 8,700
jobs in 2013-14 alone.
reducing the cost of doing
business. Since 2004, the payroll
tax rate has been progressively
reduced from 5.67 per cent to
4.95 per cent, and the tax-free
threshold has increased from
$504,000 to $600,000.
These measures are saving South
Australian businesses more than
$200 million each year, or more
than 20 per cent of the total payroll
tax. Along with cuts to land tax
and other business taxes,
businesses are saving about
$500 million a year.
Total employment South Australia
700 650 600
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
850 800 750 -
Building a Stronger South Australia
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Skills
The State Government’s
largest investment to increase
employment participation is
through skills. More than one
million training places have been
funded by the State Government
since 2003.
In 2010, the State Government
committed to provide 100,000
extra training places by 2016
through its Skills for All initiative.
This has provided free or
subsidised training in areas of
economic importance to the State.
For school-aged young people,
Given all that is known about the
an intensive focus on improving
importance of finishing school, this
school retention over the past
means hundreds of young people
decade, a higher school leaving
have secured a better future for
age of 16 and a requirement to
themselves.
learn or earn until age 17 has
The return of trade skills training
stopped the exodus of young
to high schools has given more
people from high school before
completing Year 12.
than 4,600 young people an
Ten years ago, South Australia
completing their SA Certificate
had the lowest number of young
of Education.
opportunity to learn a trade while
people staying at school to Year
There were 139,000
people enrolled in
government-funded
training courses in 2012,
nearly 80 per cent higher
than 2003.
12 of all Australian States. Today,
that has turned around to be the
highest of all States.
The target of an extra 100,000
training places has already been
achieved well ahead of schedule.
2013
to Date
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What are the challenges and way forward?
South Australia is a great
place to live, work and
do business but while
the State has always
punched above its
weight, economic and
jobs growth does not
come easy.
health, education and training
has a large manufacturing base,
and professional, scientific and
accounting for 14 per cent of total
technical services, which are
employment in the region.
Despite the significant gains of the
past decade, there is more to do
to give workers greater security,
businesses more confidence and
job seekers more optimism as the
South Australian economy moves
through a period of change.
Over the past two decades, the
contribution of manufacturing to
total employment has steadily
fallen from 14 per cent in 1993 to
nine per cent in 2013. Over that
time, there has been growth in
highly skilled sectors such as
integral to the business of many
modern manufacturing firms.
Joblessness among families
During the past 12 months,
particularly prevalent in northern
structural change in the economy
Adelaide. Playford has the highest
and continuing global volatility has
number of jobless families in South
slowed economic activity in South
Australia – almost a third of all
Australia. As a result, the number
families in the area experience
of available jobs has declined and
some form of unemployment
the number of South Australians
and typically are experiencing
seeking work has increased.
unemployment across generations.
with children under 15 years is
This compares with 14.7 per cent
While these trends are being felt
for South Australia as a whole.
across the State, Adelaide’s
northern suburbs have been hit
Holden and many of its suppliers
harder. Unemployment rates
continue to be a major employer
across this region have historically
in the northern suburbs and the
been above the State average.
State Government has pledged
The Playford local government
ongoing support for Holden
area has more than twice the State
while the company moves to
average of unemployment at
a stronger future.
15.5 per cent. The region also
Building a Stronger South Australia
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There are positive signs for jobs
The growth of a stronger
The mining and energy industries
growth and the State Government
manufacturing industry, after an
have significant potential for future
will support South Australians
extended period of decline, is
growth, with exploration for new
through the transformation to a
being led by the re-birth of the
oil, gas and mineral resources
diverse, highly skilled community
former Mitsubishi plant at Tonsley
underway. South Australia is also
able to meet the needs of the
as an advanced manufacturing
developing a mining services sector
changing economy and labour
hub and is anchored by defence
that can service mines across the
market.
manufacturing and investment in
South East Asian region.
The nature of manufacturing
a stronger Holden.
This period of diversification in the
is changing in South Australia.
That is why supporting a stronger
State’s economy has presented
The State is becoming renowned
future for Holden is so important
an opportunity to make sure the
for making much more than
for South Australia.
workforce is skilled and ready for
cars as the use of advanced
manufacturing techniques grows
and manufacturers gear their
operations to compete on value
rather than just cost.
the new jobs that will arise.
New opportunities are being
sought to boost premium food and
wine production by pitching South
Australia’s quality products to key
Asian markets.
Building a Stronger South Australia
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How will this policy work?
The State Government
is taking action to
improve job and training
opportunities for South
Australians.
A co-contribution from the State
1. Local Government Stimulus
improvements to community
Program
The State Government will
partner with the Local Government
Association and councils to bring
forward shovel-ready projects in
local council areas.
Government will enable councils
to inject up to $15 million into the
South Australian economy over
the coming months.
The move will fast-track
infrastructure such as parks,
playgrounds and library upgrades,
and will also support jobs by
ensuring a steady demand for
work from local tradespeople,
contractors and other businesses.
The scheme will be open to all
local government areas and will be
aimed at using local contractors
wherever possible.
1. Trend figures August 2013
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There are currently
810,700 South
Australians in jobs1,
up from 691,200
in 2002.
2. More job opportunities in
local communities
A Skills for Jobs in Regions
program will place up to 14,000
people in jobs in their local
communities over the next
three years.
An expansion of this program will
be targeted towards the four
South Australian communities
facing the greatest employment
challenges – northern Adelaide,
southern Adelaide, western
Adelaide and the Upper Spencer
Case study:
After an extended period
out of work, Julie took
part in a program to gain
work ready skills and
undertake workshops
with local employers.
With the skills and
confidence she gained,
Julie completed a
Certificate III in Business
Administration and now
has a job at SA Health.
Gulf – with a goal of 6,000 more
people in jobs.
Local employers, local government
and regional leaders will work
together on new Industry Leaders
Groups to create and fill more jobs
in their communities.
The program aims to assist
disadvantaged job seekers,
particularly young people at
risk, mature age workers and
Aboriginal people.
Building a Stronger South Australia
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There are 38,000
apprentices and
trainees, 8,500
more than in 2002.
3. Support for jobless families in
northern Adelaide
The Building Family Opportunities
program, which provides intensive
case management to assist
disadvantaged families, will be
extended to target 350 jobless
families in the Playford area, which
has the highest concentration of
jobless families in the State.
The program, currently being
trialled until December 2013, will
be extended for a further three
years to help reduce long-term
unemployment and address
economic disadvantage through
intensive support for families.
Up to 180 people will be assisted
into jobs and more will enter
training. So far, during the trial
Case study:
Jan was a young mum
who was feeling isolated,
had no income and was
dealing with alcohol
dependency and
domestic violence
issues. Through the
Building Family
Opportunities program,
she found a new place
to live, received support
for her issues, was
assisted with budgeting
and attended the
Woolworths Fresh 40
Program that led to a
job. Today, Jan is back
in the workforce.
more than six in every 10
participants have entered or
returned to work or training.
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4. A Training Entitlement to help
unemployed people find work
A new Skills for Jobs Training
Entitlement will give up to 20,000
Eligible job seekers will be
entitled to:
•
of their choice from Certificate
South Australian job seekers
III to an Advanced Diploma
training to improve their chances
of finding work.
More than $77 million of existing
training funds will be prioritised
over the next three years to
specifically target unemployed
two subsidised qualifications
•
unlimited access to
qualifications critically needed
by the State, including courses
in areas like engineering,
mining and renewable energy.
people or those without formal
This initiative will better target
qualifications.
funding under the Skills for All
program towards helping South
Australia’s jobless to find work.
To date, more than 100,000
additional training places have
been provided – three years ahead
of the 2016 target – including
entry-level training for 16,000
job seekers.
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A new $38.3 million
Mining and Engineering
Centre at Regency Park
will be a centre for training
excellence in mining,
engineering, advanced
manufacturing, transport
and defence industries.
Stage one is open and
the entire centre will be
operational mid-2014.
5. Support for workers to retrain
for jobs of the future
Over the next three years, up to
8,000 workers and their families
will be supported to gain new skills
as traditional jobs disappear and
new jobs emerge.
Workers will be eligible for a
12-month Support Entitlement that
will provide intensive career advice,
priority access to training,
mentoring, case management and
employment transition support to
help them prepare for jobs in
growth industries.
Workers from smaller businesses
will have access to the entitlement
Case study:
Karen worked in the
manufacturing sector for
nearly 32 years. Since
she was retrenched
in 2012, Karen has
undertaken training in
aged care and now
works full-time for the
ACH Group as a
personal care worker.
Karen says she always
wanted to work in aged
care and her retrenchment
was the impetus to
embark on a new career.
and a worker’s family members will
be eligible if they need to return to
work to maintain financial security
for their household.
Building a Stronger South Australia
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6. Increased incentives to use
local businesses and workers
7. New skills for workers
The government will work with
The State Government will
industry to boost productivity
explore new ways to increase
through the Skills in the Workplace
employment for disadvantaged
program by increasing the skills of
South Australian job seekers on
existing workers, especially in the
government-funded projects.
manufacturing sector.
The initiative will seek to provide
Skills in the Workplace will
more jobs for apprentices,
prioritise manufacturing
trainees, Aboriginal people and
businesses seeking to diversify
those facing barriers to
and innovate, and assist
employment.
transitions to alternative supply
The State Government already
requires that 15 per cent of the
workforce on major infrastructure
projects worth more than $5
million include local people,
people from low socio-economic
backgrounds and Aboriginal
people. In 2012-13, this policy
covered five major projects and
all have exceeded or are on track
to achieve the target.
For example, the Adelaide Oval
upgrade has achieved 19 per cent
of workforce hours meeting the
target criteria and construction of
chains and global markets.
Case study:
AREVA Resources
Australia had difficulties
attracting and retaining
quality staff with the
project management
skills essential to its
work. Through the Skills
in the Workplace
program, 11 staff are
currently completing a
Certificate IV in Project
Management.
the Sustainable Industries Education
Centre at Tonsley has achieved
27 per cent of workforce hours.
This policy will be reviewed to
consider other government
procurement activities that could
provide similar opportunities to
ensure that government investment
leads to local job creation for those
who need it most.
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How does this fit with the State Government’s priorities?
The State Government
has identified seven
strategic priorities to
build a strong future for
South Australia.
Growing advanced
The jobs and skills package will
Realising the benefits of the
directly progress at least three of
these priorities:
An affordable place to live
manufacturing – training South
Australians for highly skilled jobs
will help to meet the needs of the
manufacturing industry as it
transitions to a high value future.
mining boom – ensuring people
have relevant skills to work in the
industry as demand increases.
– giving more South Australians
the chance to find work and earn
an income gives people greater
financial security.
Building a Stronger South Australia
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