Key References

Traineeships and Apprenticeships

As part of the Skills for Future Jobs 2020 Series, the Training and Skills Commission has commenced a review of traineeships and apprenticeships in South Australia. The impact of changes to our economy on the nature of traineeships and apprenticeships in regions is an area that the Commission will be considering as part of this policy work.

As part of the Skills for Future Jobs 2020 Series, in 2018 the Training and Skills Commission will be delivering its second report on South Australia’s Industry Priority Qualifications (IPQ). It is anticipated that this iteration of the IPQ report will attract a higher number of regional responses and therefore provide a more comprehensive view of industry priority qualifications in specific regions.

The Commission encourages individuals and organisations to register and participate in an ongoing conversation on these important policy topics. Register your interest at 2020.tasc.sa.gov.au

Further reading

Productivity Commission Initial Report – Transitioning Regional Economies

The Federal Government has requested the Productivity Commission undertake a study into the geographic impacts of the transition of the Australian economy following the resources investment boom.

The purpose of this study is to examine the regional geography of Australia's economic transition, to identify those regions and localities that face significant challenges in successfully transitioning to a more sustainable economic base and the factors, which will influence their capacity to adapt to changes in economic circumstances.

The Productivity Commission Initial Report states:

• There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach that will promote successful adaptation in all regions.
• Strategies for successful adaptation and development are those that focus on supporting people in regional communities to adjust to changing economic circumstances.
• Strategies work best when they are:
  • identified and led by the local community, in partnership with all levels of government
  • aligned with the region’s relative strengths
  • supported by targeted investment in developing the capability of the people in the local community to deal with transition, adaptation, and securing an economic future
  • designed with clear objectives and measurable performance indicators and subject to rigorous evaluation.

View the interim report in full: pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/transitioning-regions/initial

OECD Conceptual Framework - Understanding Skills for Competitiveness

The OECD has observed that to be successful in today's knowledge economy, communities need to boost not only the skills of local people but also the utilisation and deployment of these skills by employers. By making sure that skills are utilised effectively, local economies can become more competitive and host better quality and better paid jobs. It is at the local level that collaborative approaches can be taken to not only boost skills levels but also attract and retain talent; better integrate people into the labour market and better match skills supply and demand.

The OECD Conceptual Framework will be used as a guide for the Jobs and Skills for Regional SA project to better understand the relationship between skills demand and skills supply at a regional level. This framework shows regional areas categorised as one of four types:

• A low skills equilibrium – a situation of low supply of and low demand for skills
• Skills gaps and shortages – a situation of low supply and high demand for skills
• A skills surplus – a situation of high supply and low demand for skills
• A high skills equilibrium – a situation of high supply and high demand for skills

Applied to any given region, each type represents an ‘average’ condition, which might conceal much more varied conditions in different industries or in regional centres. In developing policy and program responses we will develop a more detailed and nuanced understanding of local labour market conditions and dynamics, through the comprehensive engagement process.

Download Skills for Competitiveness, Country Report for the United Kingdom (PDF)

Download Engaging Employers in Skills Development for the 21st Century - Sylvain Giguère