Structure of portfolio to be reviewed

6/4/93

The structure of the Education, Employment and Training portfolio is to be reviewed under a plan announced today by Minister Norman Moore.

Mr Moore said it was appropriate and timely to examine the inter-relationships and co-ordination of the eight agencies under his control.

The agencies involved were the Ministry of Education, Department of Employment, Vocational Education and Training (DEVET), the Secondary Education Authority (SEA), the State Employment and Skills Development Authority (SESDA), the Western Australian Office of Higher Education (WAOHE), the Office of Education and Training (OET), the Country High Schools Hostels Authority (CHSHA) and the Academy of Performing Arts.

The Minister said the Education, Employment and Training Review would advise on a portfolio structure which would provide an improved quality of service and upgraded delivery of agency support.

"The aim is to provide a more cost-effective and productive administrative system by removing any duplication of services and inappropriate competition between different service providers," Mr Moore said.

"With our high levels of unemployment and increasing demands of industry for appropriate skills training, now, more than ever before, it is vital for the future of this State that education and training services are co-ordinated and operate at maximum effectiveness and efficiency."

The Minister said the review would be done carefully and thoroughly to minimise any disruption and uncertainty for the community.

It was due to report to the Minister by the end of May, and would be chaired by eminent educationalist Dr Robert Vickery, a former director-general of Education and more recently director of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts.

The other review committee members were Mr Ian Williams of Hamersley Iron, who had extensive education experience including chairing the Karratha College Council, and Professor Gordon Stanley, currently the chair of the WA Higher Education Council. Mr Paul Albert, head of the Office of Education and Training (OET) would be executive officer.

Mr Moore said other aims of the review were to:

·         ensure decisions were made by people as close as possible to where they would be carried out;

·         ensure that activities and structures were open to scrutiny and on-going review;

·         ensure that the State's interests, rights and responsibilities for schools, TAFE and higher education were properly protected and represented;

·         examine the operations of the State Employment and Skills Development Authority (SESDA) as required by legislation.

The review follows a report from a recent seminar which involved chief executive officers from agencies in Mr Moore's portfolio areas.

The seminar, convened by the Minister, was to enable CEOs to put forward ideas and recommendations about how the system could be improved.

Media contact: Ross Storey 321 1444 / 222 9595