workforce development

 Workforce development is aimed at building, attracting and retaining a skilled workforce to meet the economic needs of Western Australia.  Training WA, WA workforce development plan: A skilled workforce for the future.

The new Department of Training and Workforce Development has worked cooperatively and collaboratively with the training councils, industry, community and government in creating a coordinated and strategic plan: Skilling WA - A Workforce Development Plan for Western Australia.

 

Workforce Development Plans and Papers

Skilling WA - A Workforce Development Plan for Western Australia. A strategic workforce plan prepared by the WA Department of Training and Workforce Development.

Managing Western Australia's Economic Expansion - The Need for People and Skills: Research paper prepared by the Western Australian Technology and Industry Advisory Council: September 2009

Getting on Track for Change: A Workforce Development Strategy for the Sport and Recreation Industry: Strategy released by Service Skills Australia which compels industry leaders to co-operate, collaborate and champion the agenda of workforce development for sport and recreation

Tourism and Hospitality Workforce Development Strategy: This strategy released by Service Skills Australia outlines the priority areas for achieving the overall goal of access to the number of skilled employees that the tourism and hospitality industry will require to be successful in the future.

Workforce Futures Discussion Papers: Skills Australia: October 2009

Building Human Capital, A Discussion Paper: Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia: November 2007

Workforce Planning HB 299-2008, Handbook:  Standards Australia, 2008 (available to purchase)

Goldfields-Esperance Workforce Development Plan: Department of Education and Training & Goldfields-Esperance Workforce Development Alliance, 2008

Aboriginal Workforce Development Centres

Aboriginal Workforce Development Centres engagesand enable job seekers to connect with employers and service providers to take up opportunities in the workforce. Regional Aboriginal Workforce Development Centres are in the following locations:

For further information, visit the Centre's website.

WA Workforce Development Centres

The new Workforce Development Centres assist individuals of any age at any point throughout their lives to make educational, training and occupational choices and to manage their careers.

The Workforce Development Centres will make a significant contribution to the effective operation of training systems, the labour market and ensure that Western Australians better utilise their talents and skills leading to increased economic competiveness and growth.

Click on the link below to the relevant Workforce Development Centres:

Click here for a listing of all workforce development centres and contact information

Workforce Development Framework

Workforce development will occur at three different levels:

  1. enterprise - workforce development to identify skilled labour requirements of individual businesses, including the number of skilled workers required and skills of existing employees
  2. industry/regional - broader identification of skilled labour needs for the industry and the regions including attraction and retention needs and long term planning for future occupations.
  3. government - whole of Government strategies to support the State's workforce needs and long term planning for future occupations

This whole of Government WA workforce development plan will address among other things:

  • labour market demand and supply on an industry and regional basis
  • identification of skill and labour shortages
  • enhancing attraction and retention of skilled workers
  • increased participation in the workforce
  • the need for whole of Government coordination
  • targeted use of migration
  • the need for comprehensive career development
  • enhancing the training and workforce development culture of organisations
  • strategies and actions to address issues and gaps.

At the industry/regional level, the development of industry specific and regional specific workforce development strategies are being undertaken, with workforce development at the enterprise level being encouraged, fostered and supported by the Department of Training and Workforce Development.

The framework will lead to the follow outcomes:

Enhancing the training system to be demand driven, customer focussed and flexible, with the role of training providers broadened to include partneringwith employers to foster new workplace practices.

Greater industry engagement including direct involvement of industry and enterprises in planning and program development. Industry will also be engaged through the State Training Board, peak employer and industry bodies and the network of 10 industry Training Councils. The industry Training Councils, which represent all sectors of industry, will lead the creation of industry workforce development plans.

Enhanced planning through higher level labour market analysis and forecasting, greater focus on planning for those areas critical to the development of the State and providing industry with tools and information to assist their own planning.

Increased participation in the workforce particularly for those people disadvantaged and disengaged from the labour market. This will include strategies targeted specifically to Aboriginal Western Australians coordinated through the Training Together - Working Together initiative.

Whole of Government coordination including liaising with other Government departments on issues relating to local infrastructure and housing, social inclusion, economic and regional development, and sustainability.

Improved use of migration including assistance to support Government and industry to effectively target migration from interstate as well as temporary and permanent migration from overseas as needed.

Comprehensive career development to assist Western Australians transition between jobs and help influence career choices in line with employment opportunities and industry need. This will include the development of an interactive Training WA Career Centre website