HumanAbility is the new Jobs and Skills Council (JSC) for Health, Early Childhood Education and Care, Human Services (including Aged and Disability Services), and Sport and Recreation that has been selected by the Department of Employment & Workplace Relations to provide advice and leadership in these industries. Ten JSCs have been selected to replace the former system, which was constituted of 68 Industry Reference Committees (IRCs) supported by a range of Skills Service Organisations (SSOs).
Jobs and Skills Council for Health and Human Services, Early Education and Sports and Recreation
The new Jobs and Skills Councils will deepen their relationship with industry to create more opportunities for Australians to upskill and reskill and provide strategic and practical leadership in addressing skills and workforce challenges. The Councils will work collaboratively to improve the speed of developing and updating training products and implement innovative solutions to meet evolving learner and industry needs.
HumanAbility, comprising around 30 Foundation Members, which are industry organisations, employers, unions, and consumer organisations with a direct interest in one or more of the industries, is an industry-led organisation playing a major role in ensuring that plans for workforce and qualifications are grounded in a deeper knowledge of, and responsiveness to, the needs of employers and employees in the sectors.
Visit the HumanAbility Facebook page for more details and their Foundation Member Bulletins.
HumanAbility’s Collaborative Approach to Skills and Jobs Development: Opportunities for Stakeholder Engagement
As the new Early Childhood Education and Care, Sport and Recreation, Health, and Human Services Jobs and Skills Council, HumanAbility is committed to working with members, supporters, and industry stakeholders in all its projects and initiatives. To ensure a comprehensive and collaborative approach, the organisation offers both ongoing and time-limited consultation forums that address specific projects or issues. The goal is to adopt a more strategic, industry-focused, and future-oriented approach to skills and job development in line with the policy goals set out by the Minister and the Department.
Stakeholders and members are encouraged to participate in the following standing forums:
Industry Advisory Committees
Advisory committees will be established to lead projects and develop industry plans in Children’s Education and Care, Health & Human Services, Aged & Disability Care and Support, and Sport & Recreation.
Industry Leaders
This forum will bring together industry leaders to explore industry directions and their potential impact on workforce and workforce development. Its aim is to provide a future-focused perspective to HumanAbility’s jobs and skills plans and reinforce industry leadership.
Education Providers
Education providers will be engaged to provide feedback on HumanAbility’s qualifications and discuss issues related to their delivery and assessment.
Small & Regional Service Providers
This forum will focus on addressing the specific needs of small and regional enterprises and service delivery organisation.
Students
Students within programs for work in HumanAbility’s industries will be heard from.
Interested stakeholders and members can contact HumanAbility to express their interest in participating in one or more advisory committees. The organisation encourages everyone to spread the word to stakeholders across the industries, as it is committed to ensuring the widest and best possible range of voices are heard.
HumanAbility Seeks Stakeholder Input for Workforce Planning Processes
Stakeholder input is valued as HumanAbility begins its workforce planning processes. As the organisation transitions to the new Councils, it recognises that some stakeholders may have experienced disruption and acknowledges the critical issues that require immediate attention.
From February to April, HumanAbility will develop and submit an initial Workforce Plan to the Department based on existing information and reports. Although the timeframes do not permit extensive stakeholder engagement, the organisation is eager to hear from industry stakeholders on the essential elements of the plan.
Industry stakeholders are invited to share their insights on immediate and longer-term trends or issues, such as pressing concerns, potential effects on their organisations and constituents, urgent responses needed, required worker training, new job roles, and ensuring the availability of appropriate training. Additionally, HumanAbility seeks to address the medium and longer-term changes in their industry or business, particularly how they might affect workforce demand and necessary worker skills.
For education providers, HumanAbility wants to hear about training package areas that require change to make them more relevant to industry needs and educationally sound. Providers are also invited to suggest areas for improvement, greater emphasis, and current gaps or challenges.
HumanAbility will establish structured and easier ways for stakeholders to provide input in planning and project activities. However, given the time constraints, the organisation encourages stakeholders to share their experiences and advice via email to humanability@ahha.asn.au. Major themes that emerge will be shared as the plan is developed, and further comments will be sought along the way.
