Investing in Experience: How do you plug the gaps in your workforce?
IT'S a sure thing you have all pondered on the cost of recruiting new entrant workers to fill your workforce needs and meet production targets. Let's also take into consideration the lead time to induct, train and enculture new workers, in the hope that you can retain them for a reasonable length of time to see the ROI. In this climate of sustained economic growth, this is a necessary process to achieve your workforce development targes. However – it's not the only way. There are other untapped reserves you may not have seriously considered, or don't have the funding to pursue.
The alternative way to expand and retain your workforce competencies and skill sets is through up-skilling the great wealth of experience you currently have in your mature age workforce. Enhance and recognise the skills and knowledge your mature aged workers contribute to your workforce by offering formal Nationally Recognised qualification training programs through skills recognition.
A recent news bulletin from Trainingpackages@work website states that 'The Australian Government will invest $20 million over two years in the Investing in Experience (Skills Recognition and Training) (IIESRT) program, to assist mature age workers aged 50 years and over to gain formal recognition of their current competencies and receive training to fill any knowledge or skills gaps so that they can obtain a nationally recognised qualification at the Certificate III to Advanced Diploma level'.
DEEWR's Skills Connect website provides further information on the 'Investing in Experience (Skills Recognition and Training)' (IIESRT) program, listing eligible applicants as including:
• employers who employ workers aged 50 years and over under an Award or Certified Agreement
• small business owners, including sole traders, who are aged 50 years or more
• all industries, including childcare, aged care, hospitality and education, which were not eligible under the former More Help for Mature Age Workers program.
Where to start looking for support
The new program's guidelines and information are available through AMMA's Training and Development team. Our successful track record in contract tendering for similar programs under the CSIF and NWDF programs reflects our thorough knowledge and understanding of resource sector workforce development needs. The IIESRT is the next step to take – tap into the workforce potential you have already recruited and skilled. Tap into AMMA's training contract services, to work with you.
AMMA is currently working with a number of member companies through National Workforce Development Funded (NWDF) contracts - in collaboration with Skills DMC – the Resources Sector Industry Training Council. Working together in a three way partnership, we will develop a workforce development plan, utilising Skills DMC's Skills Maximiser program to identify the strengths and gaps in your mature age workforce, tailor a contract tender to suit your training needs, and, once approved, deliver the training on site, tailored to your company policies and procedures.
To find out more about how you can Invest in Experience - contact AMMA Training and Development by email [email protected] or phone (08)6218 0700.
