29/4/03
The employability of thousands of Western Australians received a boost today with the official launch of the State Government's $12.1million Employment Directions Strategy and Network.
Launching the Strategy and the Network in Midland, Education and Training Minister Alan Carpenter said it was the most significant change to the State's employment services in two decades.
"For the first time in 20 years, we have an employment strategy that takes an all-encompassing approach to the issues surrounding employment and employment services," Mr Carpenter said.
"The focus of Employment Directions is employability - developing the capacity of people to manage their future employment and helping people help themselves.
"One of the biggest strengths of the strategy is its ability to remain flexible and relevant to the ever-changing demands of the employment sector, as well as meeting the needs of people wanting to enter the workforce."
The Minister said the Employment Directions Network was formed as part of the strategy and provided Western Australians with advice and skills to improve their employability.
"There are 18 metropolitan and regional Network Centres set up throughout WA," he said.
"In addition, various organisations - including community groups and telecentres - will be networked to the centres so people can make well-informed choices about work and career paths.
"These centres, together with the networked organisations, will assist more than 45,000 people per year in developing the skills they need to gain employment.
"The network will provide a range of free services to people at various stages of their employment journey."
Services include:
- career guidance;
- programs to help school leavers with career options and workplace information;
- a resume-writing program;
- help for mature age job seekers rejoining the workforce; and
- information on how to access employment and training services specific to each region.
"Employment Directions Networks are local, free and can help," Mr Carpenter said.
"This is particularly important for young people who need to be equipped with very different skills to the ones my generation had when we entered the workforce.
"It is also critical for more mature members of the workforce who have to deal with the very real possibility of having to change careers several times in their employment life."
The Minister said the Gallop Government had made a commitment to create 125,000 new jobs during the next five years, and that Employment Directions would make a valuable contribution to achieving this commitment.
"To meet these demands, we need to ensure that we develop a highly skilled workforce and develop the employment sustainability of the individual," he said.
"We have a rapidly changing labour market in the modern era, so we must ensure that the people of WA, regardless of age, are suitably equipped to take advantage of emerging jobs."
The Minister acknowledged the invaluable contribution from Lotterywest, which had committed $1.4million towards high quality infrastructure and fit-outs for the Employment Directions Network centres across the State.
Further information on the Employment Directions Network is available by phoning 13 64 64.
Minister's office: 9213 6800
