What’s Happening in Victorian Skills?

As part of the Victorian Government’s Industry Engagement Framework, ForestWorks has been working closely with the Office of the Victorian Skills Commissioner to establish and coordinate Industry Advisory Groups (IAGs) for both the Construction and allied industries and the Resources, Forestry and Pulp and Paper sectors.

The groups consist of representatives of industry, unions and employers and meet four times a year.

IAGs serve as an important reference for the Victorian Skills Commissioner (VSC), providing industry intelligence around priority growth sectors, as well as existing industries. The groups play a formal role in informing the VSC with workforce training needs, as part of the Government’s funded training system.

ForestWorks is currently coordinating feedback and discussion regarding appropriate pathways and the often very low rates of enrolment in formal qualifications across the resources, forestry and pulp and paper sectors. This feedback will be used in the establishment of the Funded Courses List (FCL) 2019 as well as to provide advice to the Victorian Skills Commissioner on matters including skill demand pressures, future industry skills needs and determining appropriate pathways for these sectors.

Feedback on the FCL 2019 relating to Construction and allied sectors has been completed. A series of Sector Advisory Group meetings for the Forestry and Pulp and Paper sectors are scheduled over the next month to accommodate this feedback and discussion amongst a broad group of industry representatives.