South Australian Government Media Release

South Australian Government Media Release Employment, Training and Further Education Minister – Hon. Paul Caica MP 27 June 2008

SHOPFRONT SUPPORT SERVICES OPEN FOR SKILLS & TRAINING

The South Australian Government is opening two new shopfront premises for services that are designed to help people successfully move into skilled jobs.

The adjoining shops - for a Skills Recognition Service and the Office of the Training Advocate - will be officially opened this morning in Currie Street, by Employment, Training and Further Education Minister, Paul Caica.

The services, which are both free of charge, are located at street-level in the Commonwealth Building at 55 Currie Street.

Minister Caica says the move is designed to make the services more visible and accessible to the general community.

“It can be daunting for those who have had little contact with formal training environments, or who have arrived from overseas, to find the relevant information or support to make the right choice in training or take the right career path”, he said.

“These services help people negotiate the training system or have their existing skills formally recognised, so they can win skilled jobs and help build the State’s skilled workforce.

“With a skilled workforce being in high demand, it’s vital that people can readily access support to work their way through the myriad of options available to them in securing training and qualifications.”

The Skills Recognition Service supports people seeking recognition of their employment skills and is staffed with experienced officers providing free information, advice and support.

“While the centre will primarily work with skilled migrants, the service is also able to assist anyone who needs settlement information and advice, recognition of prior learning support, information about career change and assistance in gaining skilled employment”, Minister Caica said.

“Customers can access one-on-one information and advice about recognition of overseas gained qualifications and skills, comparative assessments of academic qualifications and, in some instances, ongoing case management support through the process of recognition, and on into skilled jobs.”

The Office of the Training Advocate assists people with questions or concerns about the State’s training system.

“With hundreds of training providers offering a very wide range of courses, the training system is increasingly complex to negotiate”, Minister Caica said.

“The Training Advocate ensures everyone understands their rights and responsibilities when entering a training arrangement, apprenticeship or traineeship.

“The Office plays a valuable role in helping people make informed choices about their course of study or training provider, and also provides formal support for people with individual problems or complaints in the training system, including undertaking considerable ‘preventative’ work.”

The service is available to all South Australians with the main clients being apprentices, trainees and students - including international students - parents, employers, registered training providers, unions and other industry bodies.

The Skills Recognition Services can be contacted on 1800 658 887 and the Office of the Training Advocate can be contacted directly on 1800 006 488.