Education Workforce Initiative

Shaping the education and training workforce of tomorrow

18 June 2008

Today the Minister for Education and Training Mark McGowan released the Education Workforce Initiatives Taskforce Report.

The report was commissioned by the Minister last year to look at issues facing the education workforce (both Government and non-Government), including the public training sector, over the long term.
The Terms of Reference included:

current and future education and training workforce supply and;
an indication of the capacity of Western Australia to meet its educational needs;
advice concerning student teacher practicum placement for all education sectors and locations;
strategies for raising the status of teaching; and
a framework to inform future workforce planning for all educational systems.

In light of public speculation about the content of the report, the Minister believes it is important to release it now so there can be more measured and informed debate about the issues facing education and training in Western Australia.

The report covers 15 major themes, including remuneration, leadership and mentoring, flexible learning, housing, vocational education and training, workload, and career progression.

There are more than 80 recommendations traversing Commonwealth and State issues and multiple State agencies.

The report, along with other advice received by Government, will continue to underpin a wide-ranging and long-term program of educational reform in Western Australia.