We were honoured this week to host Jonathan Barr, Head of the Employment and Skills Unit within the Local Employment, Skills, and Social Innovation Division of the Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions, and Cities (CFE) of the OECD, Paris in the Hunter.
During his visit, Mr Barr launched a new OECD Report, ENGAGING EMPLOYERS AND DEVELOPING SKILLS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL IN AUSTRALIA. The Report cites RDA Hunter’s STEMship Program as international best practice.
According to Mr Barr, STEMship provides an interesting example of how local partnerships between regional development organisations, industry, and the TAFE sector can encourage more apprenticeship training. “The Programme provides pre-employment training for secondary school graduates to enter apprenticeships as an alternative to University, leading to a full qualification at Certificate III. By working closely with employers in STEM-related fields to drive curriculum development, this programme was able to identify the necessary skills and align training design with local industry demands in new and emerging occupations to prepare for jobs of the future.”
Visit the OECD website to view the Report https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/urban-rural-and-regional-development/engaging-local-employers-in-skills-development-in-australia_9789264304888-en
View Mr Barr’s opinion piece https://www.theherald.com.au/story/6006313/engaging-employers-in-apprenticeships/?cs=4464
View the Newcastle Herald story https://www.theherald.com.au/story/6007054/nimble-training-key-in-evolving-workplace/?cs=4200
