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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 9 Hansard (21 August) . . Page.. 2703 ..

MS MacDONALD (continuing):

esteem and respect for themselves from being able to go out and get a job which was not based in a sheltered workshop.

During 2001, the ACT administered the following equity programs to address the needs of the previously mentioned people: the industry training program, the pathways program, the adult English literacy and numeracy program, the new apprenticeships access program and the equity development program. The rates of participation in these programs for various equity groups in 2001 were: 618 women; 64 indigenous people; 184 people from non-English speaking backgrounds; 131 differently able people; and 97 youths assessed as at risk. Overall 1,094 people participated in these programs, which was a tremendous effort. Other programs accessible by these equity groups in 2001 included the user choice, school-based new apprenticeships and graduate administrative assistance programs.

The rates of participation in these programs in 2001 were: 1,631 women; 136 indigenous people; 418 people from a non-English speaking background; 90 disabled people; and 1,610 youths, that is, people aged between 15 and 19 years. A total of 3,885 people participated in these programs. Nationally, the number of VET students reporting a disability increased from 47,000 in 1996 to 62,100 in 2000. Canberra, in fact, has the second highest rate of participation of students with a disability at 4.7 per cent of all VET students. As the far-reaching and much needed reforms to the ACT disability sector continue, it is worth while noting that we can expect an even higher level of participation from these students.

The environment in which apprenticeships and traineeships are operating has two significant characteristics. Firstly, the ACT economy is buoyant, with encouraging prospects for growth in industry and employment. Despite the threats of doom and gloom from the opposition on the economic front, a well-received budget with a strong focus on education is delivering great results for the ACT. The recent 3.5 per cent unemployment figure shows that Labor is handling the economy well and creating opportunities for all Canberrans, especially in the area of vocational education and training.

Secondly, employers are seeing the clear benefits of being able to tailor their training to their workplace through having flexible arrangements. These factors have resulted in a noticeable increase in industry confidence in the more versatile training of apprentices and trainees. Apprentices and trainees themselves have access to facilities and support that allow them to achieve their ambitions. In return, they donate their time and energy to the community and support our local businesses with up-to-date skills and knowledge, which are of vital importance in keeping our local businesses viable in the Australian economy.

ACT Labor is committed to providing alternative vocational pathways for both our youth and our mature-age people who are seeking further skills. I look forward to the outcomes of the inquiry into vocational education and training and trust that they will go hand in hand with an increasingly buoyant and creative vocational education sector.

I would like to congratulate all of tonight's award recipients as we look forward to an even rosier future for vocational education and training. I know that they have worked hard to achieve their nomination in the first place and, whether they are just nominees or

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