The Chamber of Arts and Culture have released their policy platform ahead of the 2019 Federal Election. The Chamber highlighted a lack of policy framework for the arts and culture federally, and identified four key strategies to provide support for the sector:

1. A National Cultural Framework to set aims and priorities to guide funding and policy. This Framework will recognise the public value of arts and culture and provide a structure for strategic investment. 
2. First Nations Cultural Policy and Investment that supports self-governing Indigenous arts and culture visions and is supported by investment in the development of a National Indigenous Arts and Cultural Authority. 
3. Addressing under-investment in the sector so our cultural institutions, arts organisations and artists can produce bold and innovative works that reflect the great ambition and creative talents of our nation, enable a truly innovative Australia and deliver long-term outcomes for all Australians, our communities and our society. The investment strategy will also address sustainability for organisations and artists, generate jobs and support audience development.
4. A review of the National Touring Framework ensuring unique Australian stories are told and all Australians, regardless of where they live, can experience extraordinary arts experiences that reflects who we are and who we want to be.

​Read the full release here.

The Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) survey program tracks
15-year-olds over a ten-year period as they move from school into further study and training, work, and into adulthood. It provides valuable insight into key perspectives and changes for young Australians.
 
Generation Z: Life at 17 uses data from the LSAY to provide a snapshot of 17-year-old Australians’ study, work, and living arrangements in 2017, as they acquire the skills and experience they need to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world.
 
Around 60% of 17-year-old Australians have a job while at school, according to new data released by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER). Many 17-year-old school students are also part of the new gig economy, with 8% undertaking ‘gig work’ like online tasks, babysitting and cleaning.
 
For more information view the Generation Z: Life at 17 infographic on the LSAY website
 
The latest data from the group of participants who commenced the LSAY program in 2015, known as the ‘Y15 cohort’, has also been released today.

The Department of Training and Workforce Development recently reviewed the Western Australian Pre-apprenticeship Program business rules. The review responds to feedback from stakeholders, in particular the school sectors, to strengthen current processes in relation to the work practice component.
 
The revised business rules have now been finalised. A copy of the business rules can be downloaded from the Department's website.

In summary, the changes clarify that registered training organisations:

• are responsible for arranging, coordinating, monitoring and reporting the work placement even if the school or pre-apprentice offers to find a suitable employer;
• must engage an appropriately skilled staff member to undertake site visits and monitor the work placement; and
• must assess each work placement site as suitable for the pre-apprentice's work placement.

​Tourism Australia has partnered with BUNAC on a youth working holiday maker campaign to attract working holidaymakers from the UK and Germany to Australia. Australian tourism and hospitality businesses are encouraged to partner with BUNAC, a working holiday specialist, and Tourism Australia to offer interviews and job offers to ‘backpackers’ from the UK, Germany, France and USA before leave their home country.
For more information on BUNAC's Australian offering, click here. Employers are able to  register by  email. 

A joint media statement released by Tourism Minister Paul Papalia, and Sport and Recreation Minister Mick Murray has announced that Perth will host the 18th Australian Masters Games, one of Australia’s largest multi-sport festivals. The Australian Masters Games comprises of more than 50 different sports contended by people over the age of 30. It is expected the Australian Masters Games will attract more than 7,000 competitors and approximately 5,500 visitors to Perth. The sporting event will be accompanied by a wide range of social events, including live music and entertainment as well as showcasing Perth’s premium food and wine offering. 
Click here to read full media statement.

SkillsIQ on behalf of the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC), has been conducting a cross-sector project to identify the common skills needs of industries in relation to consumer engagement through online and social media to inform the update and/or development of future Training Package Products and ensure skills training is in line with workforce needs. 
 
After extensive consultation, new Units of Competency and Skill Sets were developed to meet skills gaps confirmed by industries in Phase 1. Consultation on Draft 1 versions was closed in early December 2018 and as a result of the feedback received, a number of amendments were made to action the development of Draft 2.
 
National validation of Draft 2 is now open and will close at 5.00pm on Friday, 5 April 2019.
 
For more information and to provide feedback, visit the SkillsIQ website.

The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries has completed a Perth Coastal Recreational Use Study.  The study undertook an audit of recreational uses and infrastructure along Perth’s metropolitan coast between Rockingham and Yanchep.
 
The purpose of the project was to provide a baseline understanding of recreational use of the Perth coastline – drawing on existing information regarding coastal planning, site visits to determine location of existing and proposed infrastructure, and extensive consultation with coastal recreation stakeholders. The report contains maps and information that should be a valuable reference for discussion and decision making by coastal planners and managers generally, and recreation planners and stakeholders specifically.
 
The information presented is intended to help local government, sporting associations and recreation organisations to identify opportunities for future development and gaps in provision of recreational opportunities along the Perth coast.
 
To download and read more about the study and map series, go to the Department's website.

The MySkills website provides a set of high quality video stories and print resource downloads that promote vocational education and training (VET) to prospective students, parents and employers.  They tackle some of the common misconceptions and assumptions about VET.  The video stories offer interesting real-life perspectives and present facts to consider when making career choices.  The site also provides a set of posters and logos that can be used to promote VET.
 
For more information, go to the VET. It's Right Now page of the MySkills website

On the evening of 28 February, the Western Australian horse and greyhound racing industries inducted their finest into the WA Racing Industry Hall of Fame.  Twelve new members across the thoroughbred, harness and greyhound codes received their accolades at the star-studded WA Racing Industry Hall of Fame ceremony held at the Crown, Perth.
 
The 2019 class of intakes in WA racing’s highest honour included five horses, three associates, two trainers and one jockey, driver and greyhound. 
 
Gary Hall Jr shared the privilege of becoming the second member of his family to join the elite of WA harness racing after his father Gary Hall Snr’s induction as a trainer in the 2014 intake.
 
Visit the WA Racing Industry Hall of Fame website to read more about the 2019 inductees.