380. Hon Alison Xamon to the Minister for Education and Training:
I refer to the Western Australia State Training Plan 2017–2020, and to the roll out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme in Western Australia which “will require growth in the healthcare and social assistance workforce and greater access to training places”, and I ask:
(a) have any specific qualifications been identified as important to ensuring Western Australia’s workforce has the skills to meet the need for growth in the healthcare and social assistance workforce;
(b) which, if any, of the qualifications listed in (a) are on the current Priority Industry Training List;
(c) for any courses not on the current Priority Training List, why are they not on the list;
(d) has any work been undertaken to provide greater access to training places for identified qualifications;
(e) if yes to (d), will the Minister please provide information on work undertaken; and
(f) if no to (d), why not?
Hon Sue Ellery replied:
(a) Yes. Around 100 occupations have been identified as important in meeting the growth needs of the State’s healthcare and social assistance workforce sector. These occupations are listed on the 2017 State Priority Occupation List (SPOL). The SPOL is used inform the development of the Priority Industry Qualifications List (PIQL), which is a list of vocational education and training qualifications that are a priority for industry and that are not delivered as an apprenticeship and traineeship.
(b) [See tabled paper no 868.]
(c) Not applicable.
(d) The State Training Board has recently initiated a project to develop a workforce development plan for the Social Assistance and Allied Health workforce. This project will include further research and stakeholder consultation on the future workforce needs of these sectors.
(e) It is expected that the findings of this work will available by mid-2018.
(f) Not applicable.
[Tabled paper 868 - http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/publications/tabledpapers.nsf/displaypap...$file/tp-868.pdf