Victoria's SkillsHub set to close

After nearly 25 years of service to Victoria's creative and leisure industries, SkillsHub, the Industry Training Advisory Board (ITAB) for Victoria's creative and leisure industries, will cease to operate on 30th June 2012.

Victorian Minister for Education and Skills Peter Hall announced at the end of March that that the Victorian Government was to cease its funding of ITABS. As a result of this decision and its timing, the Board of SkillsHub unanimously voted to cease operations at the end of June and to wind up the organisation as soon as practical thereafter.

In a statement to stakeholders, Chief Executive Genevieve Wearne and Chairman Sam Schwarz wrote "it is our understanding, that the Government will be replacing previous ITAB arrangements with an industry skills committee made up of twelve members (from across all industries) that will meet with the Minister three times per year. The government has indicated that this new arrangement is intended to provide more 'direct' access to industry."

SkillsHub is one of 16 Victorian ITABs that provide advice to industry on vocational education and training and provide advice to the State Government on skills and occupations in demand. In addition to supplying strategic advice to government and industry, SkillsHub has assisted with the development of national training packages and Victorian curriculum for our industries; partnered with industry to develop tailored skills and training initiatives; developed careers resources; participated in workforce development and planning; conducted research; and promoted careers and training for the creative and leisure industries through an Annual Training Awards event, SpArt.

Wearne and Schwarz added "from June 2012 there will be no organisation to replace SkillsHub and assume these functions."

The pair also stated "SkillsHub regularly consults with Victoria's creative and leisure Industry associations and peak bodies as well as individuals working in these sectors.

"In several industries, including fitness and the entertainment, the majority of workers are sole operators or freelance professionals.

"When SkillsHub closes, there will be no independent body to ensure that the views of individuals and the numerous creative and leisure Industry associations are considered in the vocational education and training market.

"In the future, industry will need to access government directly through their relevant industry association but the means for doing this have not been articulated by the government. Many individuals that work in the creative and leisure industries are not part of any industry associations.

"SkillsHub has also provided leadership to the Victorian creative and leisure industries to develop workforces and to develop skills to expand businesses and promote innovation. SkillsHub is a service provider under the recent Victorian government workforce development initiative, Skills for Growth and has assisted over forty creative and leisure businesses to develop workforce and plans and access funding to develop skills. From June 2012 our involvement in the program will cease."

SkillsHub was the first ITAB to be established in Victoria and began operating in March 1988 as the Victorian Arts Industry Training Council (VAITC). In 1995 the organisation was made responsible for sport, recreation and fitness and became Arts, Recreation Training Victoria (ARTV). Since then ARTV (now SkillsHub) has continued to provide independent, strategic advice on the creative and leisure industries. During its year history, SkillsHub has also placed over 2,000 individuals into training and worked alongside the Victorian creative and leisure industries to ensure that the development of training products meet their needs. We are very proud of the work we have accomplished towards building skills and workforce capacity in the creative and leisure sectors and hope that this work will be continued in some form in the future.

Prior to 30th June Genevieve Wearne can be contacted on genevieve@skillshub.com.au

22nd November 2010 - WELCOME TO SKILLSHUB - CREATIVE + LEISURE INDUSTRIES COUNCIL