FFTITC's 2021 in Review (22 Dec 2021)

This is our last communication of the year so we'd love to share with you some of our activities and highlights for 2021.

We’ve continued to work very closely with Muresk Institute and have helped identify training needs and develop skill sets for the agricultural industry. Many of the participants gained employment which is a great outcome.

We’ve worked closely with the forestry industry and discussed how to increase the skills of their workforce; attract more young people and create more pathways into their industry. We've talked to industry, RTOs and service providers and also co-hosted with the Forest Industries Federation of WA a successful breakfast titled “Growing Industry with Skills and Training".

We may be seeing training in the WA Brewing Industry – there has been significant interest from the industry in training and career pathways. We've met with industry on several occasions, navigated them through the VET system and linked them with an RTO. Hopefully we will see delivery in the next 12 months.

We provided input into the government's WA Jobs, Education and Training (WAJET) survey for 2021. We commented on 40 occupations. We highlighted labour shortages in many industries, barriers for employment, preferential pathways for industry as well as other labour and skills information. Recently the State Priority Occupation List (SPOL) was confirmed and we were pleased to see many of our occupations noted. To view WA's SPOL list click here.

We have also implemented two projects in Irrigation and Arboriculture to assist industry associations in a promotional and development campaign to increase intake of traineeships and apprenticeships as well promote entry level pathways to school students.

We’ve also worked very closely with the WA Furniture Manufacturers Association who are very keen to attract young people into their industry and employ more upholstery and furniture making apprentices. We’ve linked them up to service providers and presented to their members on employing apprentices and also helped them to create a webpage on careers.

The WA Cabinet Makers Association is also focusing on apprenticeships and career pathways, so we’ve also provided them with lots of information and contacts. Carlo, Ugo (their Chair) and Kay were interviewed during National Skills Week about careers in the cabinet making and wood processing industries.

Because of all of the interest in the cabinet and furniture making sector, we piloted two Furncraft Furnishing Taster Programs . Two groups of students visited NM TAFE, made a fantastic upholstered wooden stool, met with employers and learnt valuable career development skills. And best of all, a couple ended up in employment - you can't ask for a better outcome!

Here's a short slideshow from Group 1

Here's a short slideshow from Group 2

Our Industry Consultant Janine Blake was invited to present at an International OECD conference Disrupted Futures: International lessons on how schools can best equip students for their working lives. Janine's presentation "FURNCRAFT - Supporting Youth Transitions into Furnishing Careers" highlighted some of the approaches and benefits of the two projects listed above. To view the video of Janine's presentation, please click here.

And finally, a short slideshow of some of our activities in 2021!

Again, we'd like to thank all of the people who we've worked with over the past 12 months. It's always great to work with committed people who want to see their industry grow and achieve. 2022 already looks like a pretty busy year and we'll come back from our short break with renewed energy and enthusiasm.

See you all in 2022.

Merry Christmas!

From the Board and Staff of the Food Fibre & Timber Industries Training Council.