Regional Australia faces a major conundrum with the need to address the simultaneous challenges of high levels of youth unemployment occurring within the context of local skills shortages. In order to gain an overview of regional TAFE institute activity a project was established by TAFE Directors Australia (TDA) with the explicit purpose of: exploring the role of regional TAFEs in overcoming regional skills shortages and assisting to reduce unemployment in a regional context; and developing case studies and data that support proven strategies which could be applied by a regional TAFE to improve outcomes in these areas. In a December 2015 survey, the experiences and views of TAFE Institute Directors were sought to inform this research. The research found that, in the absence of a comprehensive policy approach at all levels of government, TAFE institutes and local agencies have been working together to tackle the issues. One of the key findings in this research is that whilst there have been policy imperatives associated with addressing skill shortages and youth unemployment in Australia, the issues have generally been progressed separately in an ad hoc manner. TAFE Regional Directors identified the essential principles which need to be in place to address skill shortages and youth unemployment in tandem.
Five recommendations are proposed, based on the essential principles identified during the research and discussions which have taken place: (1) that the Australian government in partnership with state governments establish a pilot program in 10-15 locations across regional Australia focused on addressing local skill shortages in areas experiencing high levels of youth unemployment; (2) that the Australian Government Department of Education and Training, in conjunction with Regional Development Australia, provide the funding and infrastructure support required for the development of regional workforce development strategies to inform future investment and activity in the skills and training sector, including a three to five year regional local market needs analysis, concentrating on the major industries for regional Australia such as manufacturing, agriculture, health and social services, tourism and construction; (3) that the Australian Government Department of Education and Training, in conjunction with State Training Authorities and Skill Service Organisations (SSOs) where appropriate, provide the funding and support required to ensure a smooth transition for young people in regional locations from school to further education and/or training and employment or for unemployed young people to re-engage; (4) that TAFE Institutes be supported to undertake an enhanced leadership role in the process of addressing local skill shortages and/or high levels of unemployment in regional areas, and to increasingly take on a key role within local partnerships designed to address these issues; and (5) that, in order to utilise the capacity of Local Government Authorities (LGAs) across Australia to undertake a key role in addressing skill shortages in areas of high youth unemployment within their area of responsibility, the Australian Government Department of Education and Training and the Department of Employment discuss with the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development, TAFE Directors Australia, Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government and Local Government Professionals Australia, the potential for LGAs.
Edited excerpts from publication.
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