The State Government will introduce a Bill in Parliament this week outlining significant reforms to deliver a more flexible and responsive training system for South Australia.
The Training and Skills Development (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill 2020 was developed following extensive consultation last year and builds on recommendations from the Training and Skills Commission’s Skills for Future Jobs 2020 Series: Future-proofing the Apprenticeship and Traineeship System report.
Minister for Innovation and Skills David Pisoni said consultation on the Bill will open through YourSAy this week giving stakeholders an opportunity to have their say on reforms and ensure they meet the needs of industry, the training sector and individuals.
“The Marshall Liberal Government is taking important steps to make South Australia’s training system a shining example of what a modern and accessible framework could look like – one that offers clear direction on the skills needed for the future,” Minister Pisoni said.
“Since the introduction of the Training and Skills Development Act in 2008, the training and skills landscape, as well as the state’s workforce needs, has changed significantly.
“With the changing nature of work and the adoption of new technologies, we need to put a system in place that is flexible and responsive to future work patterns, while supporting and reskilling South Australians for the huge opportunities that will come from emerging industries.”
The Bill establishes the South Australian Skills Commission, headed up by a new statutory appointment, the South Australian Skills Commissioner. The Bill also:
- Introduces an expanded scope of trades and declared vocations to better accommodate new and emerging occupational pathways
- Simplifies recognition of qualifications achieved outside of a training contract
- Simplifies and streamlines employer registration, linked to safeguards to protect apprentices and trainees from unscrupulous employers
- Introduces measures including a transfer fee to discourage poaching between businesses of productive apprentices and trainees
- Introduces easier access to mediation for parties to training contracts
- Better balances the obligations of employers and apprentices and trainees.
“Extensive consultation conducted last year revealed the urgent need for a more flexible and responsive training system,” Minister Pisoni said.
“The changes we are proposing are in line with stakeholder feedback and will ensure our apprentices and trainees develop the skills needed for the modern workplace as well as preparing them for a future that will likely involve a number of career transitions.”
Consultation on the Training and Skills Development (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill 2020 will open Thursday 2 July through YourSAy. Submissions close 5pm, Thursday 20 August.
For more information, FAQs and to provide feedback, visit www.yoursay.sa.gov.au
