Industry Skills Board

The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) was designated as the Construction Industry Skills Board in South Australia in December 2004. As one of nine newly established Industry Skills Boards (ISBs), the construction ISB works with government to develop industry specific workforce plans, identify workforce trends and emerging skill needs, and consider issues relating to career advice and attracting and retaining a skilled workforce. The focus of this function is on workforce development for the construction industry.

The responsibilities of this role are to:

• Provide industry intelligence and strategic advice on current and emerging skill and workforce development needs. They do this from both employer and employee perspectives.
• Promote the importance of integrating skill development and business development.
• Advocate South Australian industry’s views in the development, implementation and review of nationally recognised training products and services.
• Promote the advantages to be gained from education, recognised training and lifelong learning for all South Australians.
• Provide advice on the recognition of skills and qualifications gained overseas.

The Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology will be actively working with industry through the Industry Skills Boards and other industry groups and forums in the development of industry specific Workforce Development Action Plans.

As part of its performance agreement with the Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology, the Construction ISB developed an action plan and established policies to undertake this work.

Key features of the action plan are:

• The establishment of governance and advisory structures
• The formation of a community of practice comprising training providers and industry representatives
• The development of a communication strategy, including an independent web site linked to the CITB’s own
• The formation of memorandums of understanding with relevant national industry skills councils
• The formation of a consultation and research framework

The Construction Industry Skills Board has also been engaged in a number of initiatives, including the development of higher level qualifications in the industry, the provision of advice on New Apprentice arrangements, and the development of a skills recognition framework.

Advice to the Construction ISB is provided by the Joint Sector Advisory Committee (JSAC) which is an advisory committee of the Construction Industry Training Board. The JSAC brings together representatives of all industry sectors (housing, civil, commercial and specialist services).

• Joint Sector Advisory Committee members