Training, Skills and Workforce Development
Working Regions
Working Regions is the centre piece for South Australia Works, with learning and work programs being planned and delivered to assist the region.
Through Working Regions, the Far North South Australia Works Network (FNSAWN) was formed. As a mechanism that is shaped by a high level of stakeholder and community input, the network ensures Government intervention is focused on the greater sociol economic need of the region, the target groups within that area, and strengthens the capacity of local communities to determine and respond to work and learning needs.
The FNSAWN steering committee comprises representatives from Local Government, RDAFN, local businesses, Industry, RTO’s, Job Services Australia, and other key stakeholders. The Committee oversees an annual Employment and Skills Formation Plan for the region. The plan identifies issues of most concern to the region to realign employment and training programs and resources to target groups within the community experiencing disadvantage in the labour market.
Working Regions will be the cornerstone delivery program for much of RDAFN’s on-going economic development work, linking, in a focused manner, employment and skills formation activities across the region with emerging employment opportunities. In this manner, it will be an essential tool in driving new economic activities throughout Far North SA.Training & Skills Development Officer (TSDO)
The role of the TSDO is to assist in the development of projects and programs of the Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology (DFEEST) through a liaison role between the RDAFN, Far North Employment and Skills Formation Network (FNESFN) and other agencies and organisations leading to higher than current levels of training and employment across the region.
To plan, develop and coordinate programs, services and facilities that respond to the training and employment needs in the region in line with the SA Works program requirements and as identified by the FNESFN. This includes initiating and integrating regional and local programs with an emphasis on providing opportunities for training, employment and self employment leading to more active involvement in the local community and the region.
To maximise available resources in an imaginative and innovative way in order to promote a sense of partnership between key employment and skill formation stakeholders throughout the region.
To make an appointment contact the RDAFN office:
Mandy Hansen - Training & Skills Development Officer
Email: mhansen@rdafn.com.au
Phone: (08) 8641 1444
Indigenous Mining Employee Mentor (IMEM)
The IMEM is a 12 month pilot position in partnership with the Corporation of the City of Port Augusta, Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs through the Indigenous Coordination Centre and Primary Industries and Regions SA and assists mining employees 'off site' by bridging the gap between the mine site and the community/home environment by supporting the employees family and providing referrals to other support services.
The IMEM works closely with Indigenous people and their families to help understand expectations in the workforce and assist to employer independence and meaningful employment.
This pilot program is actively monitoring employee retention rates and employment satisfaction amongst Indigenous mining employees. This information is providing mining companies some insight into the value of building their own 'off site' mentoring model into the future.
The Mentor role is not only to support in their return to work, but also to assist with financial management, and travel and accommodation arrangements. The mentor's support at community level will contribute to making indigenous peoples employment a positive experience thereby enhancing retention rates in the longer term.
This project is strongly aligned with the strategy position, Port Augusta as a hub to supply skills and labour to the Upper Spencer Gulf and Far North, and attract industry specific labour to Port Augusta.
To make an appointment contact the RDAFN office:
Kelly Smyth - Indigenous Mining Employee Mentor
Email: ksmyth@rdafn.com.au
Phone: (08) 8641 1444