Skills Formation taskforce to hold forums in the Pilbara

The recently established Skills Formation taskforce will hold public forums at Port Hedland and Karratha today to hear from employers and workers on the skills shortage issues and future training needs.

Education and Training Minister Ljiljanna Ravlich said today that the taskforce was set to make major reforms to boost the number of skilled workers for the booming Pilbara region.

"The Pilbara economy has grown significantly over the past five years and now produces in excess of $16 billion worth of goods and services each year," Ms Ravlich said.

The Skills Formation taskforce forums were set up to hear from employers and workers in all regions across the state.

The Pilbara forums are at the All Seasons hotel in Port Hedland from 10.30am to noon, and at the Karratha International Resort, from 5pm to 6pm.

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A State Government taskforce is set to make major reforms to boost the number of skilled workers for the booming Pilbara region, Education and Training Minister Ljiljanna Ravlich said today.

"Economic development in the Pilbara is going gangbusters with the boom in the resources and energy sectors," Ms Ravlich said.

"The Pilbara economy has grown significantly over the past five years and now produces in excess of $16billion worth of goods and services each year.

"In this economic climate it is vital that our training system keeps pace with the demand to supply competent, skilled workers to fill new jobs now and in the future."

Ms Ravlich said she organised the Skills Formation taskforce forums to hear from employers and workers what they saw as the best ways to ease the skills shortages and strengthen the State's training system to meet future needs.

The Skills Formation taskforce will hold public forums in the Pilbara on February 21.

People are invited to attend the forums at the All Seasons Port Hedland, on the corner of Lukis and McGregor Streets from 10.30am to noon, or the Karratha International Resort, on the corner of Hillview and Millstream Roads, from 5pm to 6pm.

Oil and gas company Woodside Energy Limited has found that employing and supporting apprentices has boosted its skilled workforce and provided additional benefits.

Chief operating officer Keith Spence said that through his work at Woodside Energy and also as chair of the State Training Board, he was well aware of the short and
long-term benefits which properly supported apprenticeship and traineeship programs could bring.

"In regional areas, and particularly in the Pilbara, the State has to ensure that there is skilled labour to support the economic growth which is occurring," Mr Spence said.

"Helping regional communities gain these skills means that these communities can fully participate in the long-term economic benefits being created by big resource and energy projects."

A consultation paper on reforming the apprenticeship and traineeship system in WA is available for download from the website http://www.stb.wa.gov.au/. Written submissions can also be sent to skills@det.wa.edu.au (deadline April 7, 2006).