A message from our Executive Director – Caroline Thompson
For my message this month I would like to share ‘The Story of the Starfish’ which resonates with me and highlights that even the smallest thing can make a difference. To you it might be something small, but to another person it could mean the world in any particular moment.
The State Government has released its blueprint to address the growing demand for skilled workers in the State’s rapidly expanding social assistance and allied health sector. Community Skills WA, in collaboration with the State Training Board and key stakeholders in the social assistance and allied health sector presented the report with 25 recommendations to the State Government.
https://mailchi.mp/e663de395658/cswa-newsletter-june-16108377
The McGowan Government today released its blueprint to address the growing demand for skilled workers in the State’s rapidly expanding social assistance and allied health sector. Click on the below link to read more about it:
Engagement has been a key focus for CSWA over the last months and it has seen us request a lot of input and feedback from our key stakeholders, which is highly valued and helps inform new initiatives and ensures quality and current advice is provided to key stakeholders. We continue to advocate for the Certificate ll Community Health and Wellbeing traineeship as well as the Ageing and Disability Job Ready program of which both have been well received.
https://mailchi.mp/5fb7cc988164/cswa-newsletter-may-16098810
31 May 2022 – 9.00am – 1.15pm
CSWA are hosting the Community Health Workforce Forum in Broome which will explore strategies to support the sustainable development of a local workforce in the Kimberley. The forum aims to provide information on current and future local workforce initiatives and potential new training opportunities. There will be a particular focus on attracting, developing and retaining an Allied Health Workforce in the Kimberley; attracting developing and retaining a local sustainable workforce; and responding to local training needs. The day will include guest speakers, panel discussions and group sessions.
Register Attendance: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/community-health-workforce-forum-broome-registration-341430416567
It’s been an interesting time for Western Australia with the mandates and a lot of organisations moving to working from home environments. Majority of our meetings have been held via Teams and with the mask mandate being relaxed this Friday, we may see some return to normal practices. CSWA are starting to ramp up our regional travel plans again and will be in Broome at the end of May, hosting a Health and Wellbeing workforce planning session.
https://mailchi.mp/2a5aafc33e7a/cswa-newsletter-april-16050550
The last couple of months have proven a busy time for the team at Community Skills WA including regional consultations in Karratha, Albany and Kununurra. Although online platforms provide fantastic opportunities to be connected with our stakeholders across WA, these can never replace meeting face to face (masks on of course) in a local community to gain a genuine understanding of issues and challenges in our sectors.
Whilst 2022 will present many significant challenges for the Community Services, Health and Education sectors, there continues to be examples of innovative approaches to workforce development, new training initiatives and amazing collaborations that we believe are worth sharing.
CSWA hosted a webinar on 14 March 2022, during which the Department of Training and Workforce Development provided an overview of the migration streams and programs currently available. We would like to thank DTWD for their presentation and input as well as all that were able to attend. A recording of the session is available via this link.
CSWA Migration Webinar-20220314_100230-Meeting Recording.mp4
We are thrilled to announce the induction day for the first round of students commencing the Community Health and Wellbeing Pre-traineeship, was held at two Pilbara sites on 3 February. A total of 12 students are starting their journey and will gain valuable skills and industry exposure in the Health Sector. The students represent Karratha Senior High School, St Luke’s College, Roebourne District High School and Hedland Senior High School. The students attended the Pilbara Universities Centre for the day and were joined for lunch by 12 industry stakeholders, who will be hosting the students on work placement.
Insight Training facilitated the induction program with a staff member at each site supported by their trainer. Delivery of the program commenced from Perth via teams, creating a virtual classroom with all students.
The students are scheduled to commence their one day per week work placement on 10 February, and the first block of training, for which the Insight Trainer will engage with the students face to face, to commence in March.
The day was a resounding success thanks to some very enthusiastic students looking to explore career opportunities in Community Health and incredibly engaged Industry stakeholders who recognise the potential this program provides to grow their local workforce.
CSWA is undertaking the WA Jobs, Education and Training (WAJET) survey for 2022, on behalf of the Department of Training and Workforce Development. The aim of this survey is to understand the skill needs in Western Australia and the various pathways available to meet these skill needs. The WAJET survey will be used to inform the development of the State Priority Occupation List, WA Skilled Migration List, Graduate Occupation List, Priority Industry Qualifications List and other training priorities for the State.
The WAJET Survey has been developed to seek your input on the following:
We would appreciate you completing the relevant survey below which will help us continue to advocate for and develop strategies to support workforce development across the Community Service, Health and Education sectors in WA. The survey closes on 28 February 2022.
Alcohol and Other Drugs/Mental Health
Community Skills WA will be on break from Monday 20 December 2021 and will return on Tuesday 4 January 2022.
We would like to wish everyone a happy and safe festive season and look forward to a productive new year ahead.
