The State Government is hosting a Regional Skills Summit in Northam today to discuss opportunities to grow and sustain a skilled workforce in Western Australia’s Wheatbelt, with more than 30 regional business leaders from a range of sectors including the agriculture, construction, education, hospitality and healthcare industries along with peak bodies, unions, government agencies and training representatives attending.
Following the successful Skills Summits held recently in Perth and Bunbury, the Northam Regional Skills Summit will generate further practical actions and new and innovative ideas that will form the basis of a local action plan to meet the region’s unique workforce needs.
Recognising the importance of access to training for building a skilled workforce and retaining people in regional areas, the WA Government has been working to ensure its investment in training initiatives reaches all corners of the State. In the past year, student course enrolments in the Wheatbelt have increased by 18 per cent — driven by affordable training opportunities through the Lower fees, local skills program and strong growth in employment-based training. Employers have responded by taking on more apprentices and trainees in the Wheatbelt in 2021, with more than 650 commencements in the year to 30 June 2021.
A range of initiatives are already progressing from the Perth Skills Summit, to attract and retain skilled workers and continue our State’s strong economic growth. These initiatives include:
The State Government is also progressing targeted advertising campaigns to attract interstate workers and increase participation of underrepresented groups in WA; smoothing the pipeline of construction work; and a series of 10 Regional Skills Summits, including the one being held today.
“As a primary Western Australian agricultural region, maintaining a strong and sustainable Wheatbelt workforce is pivotal to the continuing success of our State’s economy. “ said Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery. "Today’s Regional Skills Summit will address the demand for workers and changing skills needs in the region, with a focus on finding immediate and medium term solutions to local issues. Making local training available is an important part of retaining workers and building a skilled workforce in Western Australia’s regional communities. Insights gathered today will be considered by the State Government to inform a local action plan to address the Wheatbelt region’s skills needs.”