Mr BALDWIN - 1996-08-22
I understand that the participation rate in vocational education and training in rural and remote areas has risen during 1996. Can the minister confirm this and outline what benefits have flowed to communities in these areas?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, against the background of employment figures that were the best in the country again last month ...
Mr Bell: Have you been to Papunya lately?
Mr Stone: We have not heard from you this morning.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr FINCH: I was there a few weeks ago.
Page 1550
If the unemployment figures for the Northern Territory were reflected throughout the rest of the country, 200 000 more families would have an income. Our statistics are up and down - 4.4% the month before last and 6% last month, and there is a trend figure of about 7%. However, there is no way that our figures could be described as other than brilliant.
To back up that higher employment, which comes from a busy industry sector, we have some excellent training programs. In 1995, vocational education and training programs, that were formerly delivered through the Northern Territory Open College, were taken over by a combination of public and private training providers under the umbrella of a flexible response system which was termed Training Network. Training Network is a branch of the Northern Territory Employment and Training Authority.
In 1995-96, $1.3m of Territory funds were applied to meet urgent training needs in regional towns and remote communities. As a result, some 67 accredited programs were funded for delivery to Aboriginal people in all parts of the Territory. These ranged from short one-week programs through to full-year programs. They embraced the fundamental principle of user choices.
The figures in 1996 have grown considerably, across the board. In fact, the number of trainees in the Territory has now risen to 1736, a 39% increase over the past 3 years. Of that total, some 305 participants are identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander trainees. It is important to note that the trainees determine the format of their training and even the deliverer of the programs. This matter of ownership, which is ahead of the national move under the Modern Australian Apprenticeship Training Scheme (MAATS), will have put Northern Territory training implementation ahead of the pack, particularly in regional and remote areas. To give a couple of very quick examples, in the Katherine region, 21 Aboriginal people are undertaking interpretive tourism and tour guiding. That is a customised program for the Jawoyn Association Aboriginal Corporation. There has been a certificate course in construction at Milikapiti. Those are just 2 of a great number of practical and meaningful training
programs that are leading to jobs for young Territorians in the bush.
Page 1551
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, against the background of employment figures that were the best in the country again last month ...
Mr Bell: Have you been to Papunya lately?
Mr Stone: We have not heard from you this morning.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr FINCH: I was there a few weeks ago.
Page 1550
If the unemployment figures for the Northern Territory were reflected throughout the rest of the country, 200 000 more families would have an income. Our statistics are up and down - 4.4% the month before last and 6% last month, and there is a trend figure of about 7%. However, there is no way that our figures could be described as other than brilliant.
To back up that higher employment, which comes from a busy industry sector, we have some excellent training programs. In 1995, vocational education and training programs, that were formerly delivered through the Northern Territory Open College, were taken over by a combination of public and private training providers under the umbrella of a flexible response system which was termed Training Network. Training Network is a branch of the Northern Territory Employment and Training Authority.
In 1995-96, $1.3m of Territory funds were applied to meet urgent training needs in regional towns and remote communities. As a result, some 67 accredited programs were funded for delivery to Aboriginal people in all parts of the Territory. These ranged from short one-week programs through to full-year programs. They embraced the fundamental principle of user choices.
The figures in 1996 have grown considerably, across the board. In fact, the number of trainees in the Territory has now risen to 1736, a 39% increase over the past 3 years. Of that total, some 305 participants are identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander trainees. It is important to note that the trainees determine the format of their training and even the deliverer of the programs. This matter of ownership, which is ahead of the national move under the Modern Australian Apprenticeship Training Scheme (MAATS), will have put Northern Territory training implementation ahead of the pack, particularly in regional and remote areas. To give a couple of very quick examples, in the Katherine region, 21 Aboriginal people are undertaking interpretive tourism and tour guiding. That is a customised program for the Jawoyn Association Aboriginal Corporation. There has been a certificate course in construction at Milikapiti. Those are just 2 of a great number of practical and meaningful training
programs that are leading to jobs for young Territorians in the bush.
Page 1551
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016