The Turnbull Government today announced the final Skills Service Organisations (SSOs) that will work with industry in developing training packages.
Assistant Minister for Vocational Education and Skills the Hon. Karen Andrews MP said Innovation and Business Skills Australia (IBSA) would establish a SSO to service the manufacturing sector, bringing the total number of SSOs announced this year to six.
Through the same process, Price Waterhouse Coopers Skills for Australia, an existing SSO, has been awarded additional work and will be responsible for the automotive and mining and drilling sectors.
“Early this year, the Government put in place arrangements to ensure the vocational education and training system responded to the needs of industry,” Mrs Andrews said. “This final announcement is integral to the Government’s reforms.”
SSOs work with their Industry Reference Committees (IRCs) to identify the skills needed by employers and develop occupational skills standards or training packages.
There are almost 70 IRCs in Australia representing all industries in the national training system. They are central to the training system, and their membership is currently up for review.
“IBSA and PwC Skills for Australia have been chosen on the merits of their bids in an open expression of interest process and were distinguished by their respective track records of transparency, flexibility and capability in working with a range of industry sectors.
“IBSA is well placed to work with the manufacturing sector, while PwC have deep understanding of the automotive, mining and drilling sectors and are adept at engaging a wide range of stakeholders.
“That said, the calibre of applications for this final phase of the process was very high and I want to thank all those organisations who invested time and energy in the process. I would also like to thank AutoSkills Australia, SkillsDMC and Manufacturing Skills Australia for their service over the past year.
“I look forward to working with all affected stakeholders towards making these reforms an unequivocal success and ensuring a smooth transition,” Minister Andrews said.
Skills Service Organisations are funded by the Australian Government as independent, professional bodies to undertake work commissioned by the Australian Industry Skills Committee.
For further information https://www.education.gov.au/skills-service-organisations