Restructured vocational education/training system

22/12/93

A restructured vocational education and training system will work to build on the 37,300 new jobs created in Western Australia in the past year.

The changes will make the State system more flexible and responsive to the job market, to continue Western Australia's leading role in the nation's job creation through 1994.

Employment and Training Minister Norman Moore announced today that State Cabinet had approved the membership of the new nine-member interim State Training Board, which now replaced the State Employment and Skills Development Authority (SESDA).

The nine-member board would operate on an interim basis, pending the passage of enabling legislation in 1994.

Mr Moore said the new board members were selected for their individual expertise, not as representatives of particular organisations, and would work to refine the State's training needs and training profile.

The administrative change was one of the key recommendations of the Vickery Review of Education and Training, which the Minister established to reduce duplication of services and inefficiency.

Mr Moore said the interim board would work with the new Department of Training, which was also created in response to the Vickery Review.

"The broad community representation on the board is an important step to ensure we develop an industry-driven, flexible and responsive system," he said.

"A training system more in tune with the industry's needs can only help maintain WA's 1993 jobs record, which saw this State more than double the national employment growth rate.  A highly-skilled workforce is vital if the State's industry is to be internationally competitive."

The new board will be chaired by Ian Williams, joint managing director of Hamersley Iron and other members are:

·       Mr Harvey McLeod, director of the Master Builders' Association of WA;

·       Dr Lynn Allen, chief executive officer and State librarian of the Library and Information Service of WA;

·       Ms Michelle Dolin, general manager - Corporate Services, Challenge Bank;

·       Mr Graham Laitt, managing director, Peters (WA) Ltd;

·       Mr Tim McDonald, CEO of the St John of God Health Care System;

·       Mr Rob Meecham, secretary, TLC;

·       Mr Lyndon Rowe, executive director, Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and -

·       Mrs Shirley Thorn, farmer, and member of various bodies concerned with education and training policy for rural communities.

Media contact:  Ross Storey 321 1444/222 9595