The state training authority, the Department of Training and Workforce Development, have released for comment a draft nominal hours proposal for newly revised training package for the creative industries, CUA Creative Arts and Culture.
Nominal hours refer to the agreed number of funded training hours per unit of competency within a training package, and should reasonably reflect the time required to train a student to competency in the skills represented in that unit.
Industry and training providers are invited to provide feedback before COB Friday 22nd October 2021. Any requested changes should relate to content in the new units and/or changes between the revised and the superseded unit, or changes in industry practice which influence the time required to train a student in related skills.
The proposed hours may be accessed here, and advice may be provided to FutureNow Industry Development Manager for the creative industries, Ann-Marie Ryan, at amryan@futurenow.org.au or on 0459 982 357

The WA state government has announced it will match additional federal funding for the JobTrainer program. The new $103.6 million joint funding arrangement will provide further support to the Lower fees, local skills initiative, and includes funding for 10,000 additional digital skills training places.
The Western Australian vocational training sector has seen a 21% increase in enrolments in the past year, and this latest funding round will see 30 new courses added to the lower fees list, meaning 210 courses in total will be heavily reduced.

Read Minister Ellery's full media statement 

To assist State-wide demand for VacSwim instructors over the busy summer period the 2020 initiative in providing Year 12 students with funded training has been extended to 2021. To be eligible, students must be currently enrolled in Year 12 at a Western Australian school and be at least 17 years of age. The training program will be available across the WA metropolitan area and in specific regional centres.  For more information click here 

A series of  Regional Skills Summits has been held at Kununurra, with local business and government leaders meeting to discuss opportunities to grow the skilled workforce in the Kimberley.
The Kununurra-Kimberley Regional Skills Summit will generate further practical actions and new and innovative ideas to address the region's unique skills needs. A second Kimberley Regional Skills Summit is scheduled for Broome in November.
More than 25 government and regional business leaders from a range of sectors including the accommodation and food services industries are attending. The aim is to build a skilled workforce and retain people in regional areas
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Full Media statement

 
The Bankwest Curtin economics centre has selected the Creative industries sector as part of its Industry in Focus series. "Creativity at the crossroads? The Creative industries in Western Australia"  presents an in depth look at the role that the arts and culture sectors play both within the economy and from a social and cultural perspective. The report looks at some of the limitations and challenges faced by the sector both in terms of access and participation but also identifies some key strengths and opportunities. It  can be read below. 

bcec.edu.au/assets/2021/09/138031_BCEC-Creativity-at-the-crossroads-Focus-on-Industry-Report-No.-6_WEBV3.pdf

The next 4 years will see a State Budget allocation of $167 million towards community sport and recreation. This investment in local community and sporting programs, together with major sports infrastructure projects, aims to enhance job creation, sporting participation and access to top quality venues within Western Australia.
 
Read the full media statement 

Perth is to host an international science conference and a performing arts congress in 2024. The conferences are expected to attract hundreds of delegates from around the world and will inject more than $3 million into the WA economy.
The Conferences were secured by Business Events Perth, funded by the State Government through Tourism WA 
 
 Read the full media statement

Minster for Education and Training the Hon Sue Ellery has announced the completion of a new performing arts centre at Belmont City College. The centre features a new theatre, music rooms, and state-of-the-art lighting. Belmont City College hosts specialist drama, music, and dance programs.

Read the full media statement

Enrolments are now open for the 2022 Australian Defence Force (ADF) Cyber Gap Program, which will support students studying a cyber-qualification. The ADF is looking for a diverse group of applicants who are passionate about cyber and interested in a career with Defence. The program is open to Australian citizens who are already enrolled in, or about to commence cyber-related studies. 
 
Applications for the program are open from 1 September to 31 October 2021 and can be made online on the Digital Transformation Agency website
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