Western Australia's first ever roadmap for holistic cultural infrastructure planning and investment in the State has been released. 
The WA Cultural Infrastructure Framework 2030+ outlines the principles for how considered planning of cultural infrastructure can drive participation in arts, culture and creative activities for all Western Australians, showcasing WA to the world. Cultural infrastructure refers to physical infrastructure such as venues, collections and digital technology, but also includes the staff, volunteers and digital networks required to operate these spaces. The framework was developed through extensive stakeholder consultation, a review of cultural planning practices and sustainable development goals from around the world. It also considered State planning frameworks and policy priorities such as Diversify WA. It forms part of the Cultural Infrastructure Toolkit - a suite of resources that will assist decision makers to assess the cultural infrastructure needs and opportunities to support the State's growing population and economy.

Read Minister Templeman's full statement
Access the Framework and support materials

To coincide with Australian Cyber Week, Block Branding have helped launch the TAFEcyber brand. 

TAFEcyber is an Australian based consortium focusing on the skilling of the fast-growing cyber security workforce through education and training. As a successful initiative awarded funding through the AustCyber Projects Fund, TAFEcyber aims to support the development of Australia’s cyber security training capabilities.

Block Branding CEO Natalie Jenkins sits on FutureNow's Board.

WAITOC, in partnership with Breakaway Tourism has developed the Aboriginal Tourism Academy (ATA).
The ATA is a customised program for tourism business development and professional development for staff. It aims to meet the needs of new and existing Aboriginal tourism operators across Western Australia, including training/skilling, strategic marketing assistance, product/service development, and mentoring.
This follows from the success of previous programs where WAITOC partnered with The City of Perth.
WAITOC encourages all interested individuals, businesses and organisations to work together to help grow Western Australia's unique Aboriginal cultural tourism industry. Through committed partnerships, all stakeholders will benefit and communities in our state will begin to prosper.
Learn more about partnering with WAITOC by downloading the Local Government Prospectus: WAITOC Partnership Packages 2020

PwC Skills for Australia have released for comment a Case for Change detailing 3 new projects for inclusion in the ICT training package. The proposed projects are broadly themed as follows:

• Applied emerging technologies  
• Conducting business online  
• ICT refresher training 

Responses may be provided via FutureNow no later than COB Friday 8th January 2021. Please contact FutureNow's Industry Development Manager for the Digital Technologies sector, Ann-Marie Ryan, for further details or to discuss.

Read the Case for Change

In response to a lack of workplace skills and experience being key factors faced by young people experiencing unemployment, Volunteering Minister Mick Murray last week announced that the State Government will provide funding of $440,000 to Volunteering WA over three years, to deliver the Volunteering: A Pathway to Job Readiness program.
The funding will enable Volunteering WA to develop and deliver face-to-face training, materials, and online tools for the program.
The program will help address this by supporting young people aged between 15 and 24 years to engage in volunteering to build the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to become workplace ready. The Volunteering: A Pathway to Job Readiness program will also support volunteer involving organisations to attract, engage and support young people to volunteer, while helping them to develop the skills and experience to improve their job readiness and employability.

FutureNow's CEO Julie Hobbs and Industry Development Manager for the cultural sector Ann-Marie Ryan were among thousands who attended events at the 9-day launch of Western Australia's new museum WA Museum Boola Bardip. 
To celebrate the opening of the Museum with interstate and international audiences unable to travel, WA Museum Boola Bardip has collaborated with Perth Festival to produce films that showcase creative works inspired by and filmed in the stunning new Museum. More than 100 people from Western Australia’s creative industries were employed to work on these films that highlight Western Australia’s world-class artistic talent and the Museum's stunning heritage-listed buildings and contemporary spaces. 
Boola Bardip means 'many stories' in Whadjuk Noongar language. WA Museum Boola Bardip has been developed with a 'People First' approach, and its content and experiences have been informed by four Community Panels, the WA Museum Aboriginal Advisory Committee, the Whadjuk Content Working Group, and direct engagement with more than 54,000 people across WA.

​Book a visit to WA Museum Boola Bardip here.
​Watch a compilation of films made for the launch of the new museum here.

An NCVER review of existing international research has found that work-based education placements can lead to better employment outcomes for VET students and offer employers productivity benefits through job-ready workers.
Learn more: Work-based education in VET
Media release: Work-based education leads to better employment outcome

The INCITE Awards – WA’s longest running ICT and Technology program – has concluded its 29th Awards program for 2020 by acknowledging the contributions that local tech leaders, entrepreneurs and companies have made to the sector. Three Honorary Awards – the Pearcey WA Entrepreneur of the Year, Achiever of the Year and the Dr Mal Bryce Tech Company of the Year – were awarded virtually on Wednesday 25 November 2020 via the program’s social channels. 
Read the full story and watch the Awards