❓ Question regarding the alignment of the South West workforce development plan with the government's broader strategy for meeting skilled worker demand in regional areas. The Minister's response outlines the government's approach to supporting a skilled workforce, particularly in the South West, and highlights strategies for engaging Indigenous and mature-age workers.
AnsweredQoN 169Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
WORKFORCE
DEVELOPMENT — REGIONS
169. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI to the Minister for Training and
Workforce Development:
I was pleased to have the minister in my electorate on Friday
to launch the ''South West workforce development plan 2013–2016''.
With this in mind, can the minister please explain how this plan fits in with
the government's strategy to meet the demand for skilled workers,
particularly in regional areas?
DEVELOPMENT — REGIONS
169. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI to the Minister for Training and
Workforce Development:
I was pleased to have the minister in my electorate on Friday
to launch the ''South West workforce development plan 2013–2016''.
With this in mind, can the minister please explain how this plan fits in with
the government's strategy to meet the demand for skilled workers,
particularly in regional areas?
AnswerView source ↗
Mr Speaker, I must compliment you on your leadership. We have
got through 12 questions today, which is absolutely outstanding.
I thank the member for Bunbury for the question —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Members!
Mr D.T. REDMAN : We
have done well. I am pleased I am at the end, Mr Speaker; I am sure that helps!
The member raises a good question about the position this
government is taking on supporting a skilled workforce in Western Australia to
support the growth of the state. We recognise that decisions are being made in
the resources sector that might suggest that the heat is coming off a little in
that market. However, we also recognise that there is still strong, steady
growth in Western Australia. Even in the south west of the state where the
member for Bunbury resides, some $11 billion worth of projects are either
committed to or are in the pipeline, and that level of industrial development
needs a workforce. We have a strategy for all Western Australia, but, when we
drill down, although there are some similarities in different regions of
Western Australia, there are also some differences in different parts of the
state. The south west plan was done in conjunction with the alliance group down
there, which is local industry, local agencies and all the respective
stakeholders, and the plan was put together to support the skilled workforce
needs of the south west of Western Australia.
I was really pleased, when that plan was launched on Friday, to see
support for local groups.
Mr M.P. Murray : Who was there? Was the member for Bunbury
there?
Mr D.T. REDMAN : No, he was not; he was engaged in other
issues at that time. I highlight that this government is focusing on the needs
of a skilled workforce in Western Australia and that the plans we have already
rolled out and will roll out over the course of this year will identify how we
will meet those needs. We are working in step with industry. We have challenges
in the south west in competing with the resources sector to attract and retain
staff. We are engaging some of those smaller groups, in particular, the Indigenous
workforce, which has unemployment levels of upwards of 16, 17, and 18 per cent.
Half of the Indigenous workforce are 19 years and younger. That population
demographic presents not only a challenge but also an opportunity, because if
we can engage that younger section of the workforce, hopefully, we can achieve
lasting outcomes. We are also engaging the more mature age group in the
community, who are heavily represented in the south west, to re-engage them in
the workforce in perhaps a modified work arrangement. That is another strategy
the government is implementing to meet the workforce needs in the south west.
The government has put a plan in place that drills down to regions in certain
parts of Western Australia. The government launched the south west corridor
workforce development plan on Friday, and I am very pleased to see the level of
support the plan has received from industry to see that plan through.
got through 12 questions today, which is absolutely outstanding.
I thank the member for Bunbury for the question —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Members!
Mr D.T. REDMAN : We
have done well. I am pleased I am at the end, Mr Speaker; I am sure that helps!
The member raises a good question about the position this
government is taking on supporting a skilled workforce in Western Australia to
support the growth of the state. We recognise that decisions are being made in
the resources sector that might suggest that the heat is coming off a little in
that market. However, we also recognise that there is still strong, steady
growth in Western Australia. Even in the south west of the state where the
member for Bunbury resides, some $11 billion worth of projects are either
committed to or are in the pipeline, and that level of industrial development
needs a workforce. We have a strategy for all Western Australia, but, when we
drill down, although there are some similarities in different regions of
Western Australia, there are also some differences in different parts of the
state. The south west plan was done in conjunction with the alliance group down
there, which is local industry, local agencies and all the respective
stakeholders, and the plan was put together to support the skilled workforce
needs of the south west of Western Australia.
I was really pleased, when that plan was launched on Friday, to see
support for local groups.
Mr M.P. Murray : Who was there? Was the member for Bunbury
there?
Mr D.T. REDMAN : No, he was not; he was engaged in other
issues at that time. I highlight that this government is focusing on the needs
of a skilled workforce in Western Australia and that the plans we have already
rolled out and will roll out over the course of this year will identify how we
will meet those needs. We are working in step with industry. We have challenges
in the south west in competing with the resources sector to attract and retain
staff. We are engaging some of those smaller groups, in particular, the Indigenous
workforce, which has unemployment levels of upwards of 16, 17, and 18 per cent.
Half of the Indigenous workforce are 19 years and younger. That population
demographic presents not only a challenge but also an opportunity, because if
we can engage that younger section of the workforce, hopefully, we can achieve
lasting outcomes. We are also engaging the more mature age group in the
community, who are heavily represented in the south west, to re-engage them in
the workforce in perhaps a modified work arrangement. That is another strategy
the government is implementing to meet the workforce needs in the south west.
The government has put a plan in place that drills down to regions in certain
parts of Western Australia. The government launched the south west corridor
workforce development plan on Friday, and I am very pleased to see the level of
support the plan has received from industry to see that plan through.
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