Shearing, Colin - South Australian Independent Retailers Inc.

Response:

Collaborating as broadly and as deeply as possible, with as many diversified networks/sectors, offering at the very least, an opportunity to contribute to the VET system, from the smallest micro-business owner through to the largest corporate business and their Boards, Executives and main decision makers.

The best way to capture a broad and deep representation of ideas/concepts and contribution must be through formal industry networks, professional employer and employee bodies, plus as many as possible small industry networks with an interest in skill & training development.

From a practical and transparent view it is important that private and public RTO's ARE NOT included in real industry representation, due to 'vested' interests.  However it is important that enterprise-based RTO's ARE included in industry engagement.

It is our view that industry involvement in VET happens at the very local level, with an 'eye and ear' on the national horizon.  Each State & Territory will have very different needs and jobs supply/demand will also differ with regards to matching skills supply/demand.

It is crucial that each State & Territory not only determine their own labour supply and demand but importantly industry led training and skills advisory bodies MUST BE ADEQUATELY funded representing the major industry sectors and their qualitative interests.

Having to rely on bureaucratic processes and bureaucratic executives/advisors to manage and coordinate industry led VET simply does not work for industry.  It is about industry 'quality' in VET and understanding that unless VET follows industry's lead, flexibility and agility to change, then we will end up with what we already have.

Industry profiles need to build upon, inculcate and articulate 'real' career pathways and awareness that are responsive and intuitive to 'real time' industry job & skill demand and supply.  This is critical to not only understanding VET but to its marketing plan.  VET needs a national marketing plan that is developed by industry driven from the local levels by each State & Territory across the nation.   
             

Response:

Yes

Response:

Industry engagement arrangements in VET only meet some needs.

Having State-based  Industry Skills Councils is a good start but hey need to funded and run by industry, not by bureaucrats!

Until recently, SA Independent Retailers (SAIR) was represented on the State's Industry Skills Council, however much to the dismay of the SAIR Board, the State Minister decided not to renew its membership.  A breathtaking decision not to support a peak and local industry employer association.

There has been some good examples in the past sharing across industry common workforce and skills needs.  However and generally collaboration across industry sectors in South Australia, under current VERT arrangements is limited, given that bureaucrats control the VET space and agenda.  It needs to be funded and totally led by industry to gain confidence, industry trust, integrity  and credibility.          

Response:

The fundamental answers to this Question have already been provided and what needs to be said here is if governments continue NOT TO BE SERIOUS about real reform in VET, industry will simply walk away from the VET space and the silos which as you say already exist, will only multiply and grow.  

Response:

Unless there are INDUSTRY practitioners who really know this space and are not from the private or public RTO's, this question is most challenging to answer.  There are enterprise-based RTO's who can provide, we believe, part of the picture, but really this needs almost a national summit to provide some of the solutions/concepts/answers.     

Response:

Thank you.  What has been said to date is in our view constructive feedback.