Training program funds: WA Pilot & Escort Drivers' Assn, Wembley

11/2/97

The Western Australian Pilot and Escort Vehicle Drivers' Association, based in Wembley, is to receive more than $26,000 State Government funding to help boost the skills of its workers, Employment and Training Minister Cheryl Edwardes said today.

Mrs Edwardes was announcing the WA Department of Training's Enterprise Specific Training Program for 1997.

She said a total of $108,691 had been allocated under the Enterprise Specific Training Program for 13 WA organisations to provide extra training for their workers.

"More than 560 workers in a range of jobs will have excellent opportunities to enhance their skills and promotion prospects," the Minister said.

The WA Pilot and Escort Vehicle Drivers' Association will receive $26,500 which represents 50 per cent of the total cost of 10 courses that 100 State-wide workers will attend between this month and June.

"Workers in Perth, Kalgoorlie, Bunbury, Albany, Geraldton, Karratha and Port Hedland will undertake courses in pilot vehicle drivers training," Mrs Edwardes said.

The training will be provided by the Road Transport Training Council WA, based in Carlisle.

Mrs Edwardes said the Enterprise Specific Training program aimed to increase employer participation in vocational education and training by providing financial assistance to organisations for the provision of additional training to existing workers.

"This initiative forms part of an overall State strategy to broaden the delivery of vocational education and training in WA by stimulating the training market," she said.

The Minister said the Enterprise Specific Tender Program had identified small and medium enterprises as priority areas and had favoured businesses with fewer than 50 workers.

The department had also encouraged tenders from enterprises to fill skills gaps in areas such as boilermaking, mechanical fitting, pipe welding, automotive trades, cooking, project management and heritage restoration-related building.

Media contact: Diana Russell Coote (09) 421 7777