Australia’s VET sector is set to receive a much-needed boost as Skills Impact establishes one of ten Jobs and Skills Councils (JSCs). This move aims to provide a more robust and strategic voice for the industry. The new JSC, called Skills Insight, has a more extensive scope and is designed to deliver outcomes that promote a skilled and resilient national workforce, and support a responsive VET system.
Skills Insight in Australia will provide guidance to industries across the agribusiness supply chain, including primary production, plants and animals, forestry and timber, as well as emerging industries around natural resource security and environmental management. Skills Impact has also been given additional industries, including textiles, clothing, and footwear and furnishing. As a JSC, Skills Insight in Australia will support the industry to address system-wide barriers and add value across the economy and all education pathways.
Skills Insight in Australia plans to work together with industry, registered training providers (RTOs), unions, and other JSCs as it gives importance to collaboration as its main approach. The council will provide strategic leadership to align efforts across industries to improve system responsiveness, build stakeholder confidence, and suggest improvements to lead high-quality outcomes for the VET sector, learners, and businesses.
Functions of the New Skills Insight In Australia
Skills Insight in Australia will perform various functions to fulfill its role as a JSC in a holistic manner, including:
- Workforce planning, which is the strategic centerpiece for JSCs and sets up essential context for each of the other functions.
- Training product development, to develop responsive and flexible training products informed by comprehensive workforce analysis.
- Implementation, promotion, and monitoring, so that training delivery and assessment meet RTO, employer, and learner needs.
- Industry stewardship, to give strategic advice on skills and workforce needs and the effectiveness of VET system policies and standards.
In the first year of operation, Skills Insight will focus on building relationships with relevant stakeholders, including industry leaders and experts nationwide. Workforce planning will also be an essential part of the first year of the organisation to help understand current, emerging and future workforce challenges and opportunities and develop appropriate strategies and advice to address these challenges. It is expected that training product development will only occur in this first year, when it is considered responsive to national priorities by the department.
Skills Insight in Australia will work in close partnership with Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA), drawing on JSA’s workforce analysis and projections to undertake planning for their industry sectors, creating a uniform understanding of the skills landscape and how skill gaps can be addressed.
How will Skills Insight Impact Your RTO?
The establishment of Skills Insight in Australia will have a significant impact on the VET sector in Australia. The council’s broad scope will enable it to address system-wide barriers and support the development of a skilled and resilient workforce. The collaboration between industry, RTOs, unions, and other JSCs will supply strategic leadership and improve the responsiveness of the VET system. Additionally, the council’s workforce planning and training product development functions will enable it to create customised and responsive training products, meet employer and learner needs, and drive continuous improvement.
In conclusion, the establishment of Jobs and Skills Councils is a step in the right direction for the Australian VET sector. With Skills Insight in Australia, Skills Impact aims to create a more robust and strategic voice for the industry and support the development of a skilled and resilient national workforce. The council’s broad scope, collaborative approach, and functions will enable it to address system-wide barriers and add value to the economy and all education pathways. The close partnership with Jobs and Skills Australia will also provide a uniform understanding of the skills landscape and how skill gaps can be addressed. The future looks bright for the VET sector in Australia, thanks to the establishment of the Jobs and Skills Councils.
You Can Shape the Future of Jobs and Skills Through The New Skills Insight in Australia!
The Australian government has called for feedback on Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) through a discussion paper which seeks to gather input from all stakeholders on the role and future direction of JSA. These include representatives from state and territory governments, employer bodies, unions, tertiary providers, and community organisations.
The discussion paper looks to find ways to improve JSA’s responsiveness to the workforce’s and economy’s changing needs and enhance its effectiveness in promoting skills development and job creation. The information collected from the feedback will be used to develop a comprehensive plan for JSA that will ensure its relevance and importance in Australia’s skills and workforce support and development.
Brendan O’Connor, the Minister for Skills and Training, also recognises JSA’s significance in guiding the country’s workforce in terms of development and productivity. And calls for the stakeholders to provide feedback and be part in shaping JSA’s future.
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