Speeches
Thursday, 21 November 2024
Apprentice Employment Network SA Annual Gala Dinner
It is a pleasure for Rod, and me as Patron of the Apprentice Employment Network in South Australia, to be with you for your gala dinner.
I trust you have had a productive and enjoyable annual conference and am confident that the networking across the apprenticeship and training sector will be carrying through from the conference to this dinner.
Forgive me if I’m wearing my former diplomat’s hat, but great work can be done over the table too!
I am pleased to lend my support to the sector, because, by investing in training, we are investing in our future.
I was delighted recently to present a Safework SA Augusta Zadow Award grant to the Apprentice Employment Network SA.
Through the award, AEN SA members and their host employers will be able to access a much-needed upgrade to the SMART Kit solution.
The SMART Kit gives small to medium sized enterprises access to information about vital workplace health and safety obligations, and a range of tools and other support mechanisms to manage workplace safety effectively.
I know this issue can be at times daunting for smaller sized enterprises, but as the majority of the apprentices employed by AEN SA are at the start of their careers, it is a valuable resource and a valuable investment.
You are giving people skills for life.
Friends
I thank the members of the Apprentice Employment Network SA for the support and employment opportunities you provide to just over 4,000 apprentices and trainees across South Australia.
In this context it is good to note that the recent report from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research for the March 2024 quarter highlights not only a rise in apprentices in South Australia, but also that commencements and the number of South Australians in trade occupations in government priority areas are higher than at the same time last year.
The message that Rod and I, as we travel across the State, are keen to convey during our visits to schools is that this is an exciting time for people of all ages looking to develop a career pathway.
We only need to look to the AUKUS submarine and other defence industry projects, investments in renewable energies, the need for care workers to support an ageing population and construction workers to support the demand for housing.
We can, and should, encourage our young people to value vocational education pathways. Two of our four adult children chose to do just that and have never looked back.
Friends
I thank the Apprentice Employment Network SA, as the peak industry body in this state for Group Training Organisations, for its support and advocacy on behalf of its members.
To the AEN SA members, thank you for providing apprentices and trainees with a start on their employment paths.
You are providing employment for around 20% of all apprentices engaged in South Australia and helping to build a future for us all.
Please enjoy the evening.