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Media Release
NEW TRAINING PACKAGE FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE WORKERS
K6307 5 August 1999
For the first time, training leading to nationally recognised qualifications will be available to community services workers through a new National Training Package launched today by the Minister for Education, Training and Youth Affairs, Dr David Kemp. "The Training Package gives those community workers in areas such as aged care, children’s services, mental health work, community housing and youth work, the chance to develop current and relevant skills to meet the demands of a diverse and changing industry. Plus, they earn a nationally recognised qualification that can lead to greater job security and the opportunity for further education in their field of choice," said Dr Kemp. Announcing the details of the Training Package to key industry representatives and employees at the National Convention Centre in Canberra today, Dr Kemp said that the rapid acceptance and growth of traineeships in the community services industry had increased the demand for more flexible and accessible training. "This is the first time we have had a package that provides structured career paths for the thousands of community services workers who contribute so much to the welfare of our society," said Dr Kemp. The new Community Services Training Package provides expanded opportunities for both young people and existing employees through New Apprenticeship pathways in Australia’s diverse community services industry by allowing employers and trainees to enter into training arrangements to suit the needs of the particular individual and the enterprise. "The notion of one-size-fits-all training is a thing of the past," said Dr Kemp. "This training package is the result of visionary co-operation between industry, the Government and the community to provide a flexible and responsive vocational education and training system that realistically serves the needs of the community. "This is a major achievement for the Community Service industry considering the range of sectors involved and the diversity of enterprises which encompass community service activities around Australia," said Dr Kemp. With over 40 qualifications identified in the Package, the training will provide career paths within the areas of:
It is expected that the new Training Package will cover around 80,000 workers, which makes up almost half of the community services paid workforce. The Community Services industry provides a continuum of human services care from highly specialised and acute services to community based services that focus on provision of support, advice, community education and promotion and delivery of commercial services. The combined community services and health industries are the 4th largest employer nationally employing over 9 per cent of the paid work force. If the approximately 1 million unpaid workers are included under this banner, this would more than double workforce figures making these industries the largest employer nationally. Interestingly the highest participation in these industries is women making up 78 per cent of the work force. The community services industry is also characterised by a high level of part-time employment (approximately 43 per cent) with casual employment being 29 per cent. Media Contact: Samantha Herron 0412 639 754 or (02) 6277 7460
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