REGIONAL EDUCATION, SKILLS AND JOBS
PLAN
NEW SOUTH WALES – MURRAY
2012 – 2014
JULY 2013
This plan was first published in July 2012. This is the July 2013 edition.
Details in this report are correct at time of drafting.
This report can be found at the Regional Education, Skills and Jobs webpage (www.deewr.gov.au/resj) or the
My Region website (www.myregion.gov.au).
For more information about this plan, please contact:
The Office of Regional Education, Skills and Jobs
GPO Box 9880
Canberra ACT 2601
Email: oresj@deewr.gov.au
ISBN:
978-0-642-78623-4 [PDF]
978-0-642-78624-1 [DOCX]
With the exception of the Commonwealth Coat of Arms and where otherwise noted all material presented in this
document is provided under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia licence
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au/).
The details of the relevant licence conditions (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au/legalcode) are
available on the Creative Commons website (accessible using the links provided) as is the full legal code for the
CC BY 3.0 AU licence.
The document must be attributed as the Regional Education, Skills and Jobs Plan 2012-14 – Murray.
Disclaimer about data used in this plan
Data used in the development of this plan comes from a variety of sources and was correct at time of drafting. This
document should not be used as a data source as data referred to may have been updated or reformulated since
the publication of the plan. Refer to primary sources for confirmation of data.
Regional Education, Skills and Jobs Plan – Murray 2
www.deewr.gov.au/resj
CONTENTS
Regional Education, Skills and Jobs Plans ................................................................................ 4
Strategies .................................................................................................................................................. 4
Community engagement........................................................................................................................... 4
Implementation ........................................................................................................................................ 4
Executive summary ................................................................................................................ 5
Characteristics of the region ................................................................................................... 7
Population ................................................................................................................................................. 7
Early childhood education and care .......................................................................................................... 9
School education ..................................................................................................................................... 10
Tertiary education and training .............................................................................................................. 13
Jobs, skills and workforce development ................................................................................................. 15
Other characteristics ............................................................................................................................... 19
Murray–Darling Basin Plan ................................................................................................................. 19
Cross-border coordination .................................................................................................................. 19
Technology .......................................................................................................................................... 20
Tourism ............................................................................................................................................... 20
Issues, goals and strategies ................................................................................................... 21
Issue 1 Skills shortages have been identified in industries across the region, including agriculture,
health, trades, aged care, education, engineering, tourism, hospitality, accounting and management. ..
................................................................................................................................................. 22
Issue 2 The immediate and long-term impacts of national child care reforms on early childhood
centres. ................................................................................................................................................. 23
Issue 3
Low access to and participation in early childhood education and care. ............................... 25
Issue 4 Text Young people are disengaging from education at key transitional points and not
completing Year 12 or its equivalent or developing skills required for employment. ........................... 26
Issue 5 Level of literacy and numeracy skills is becoming an increasing barrier to obtaining
employment and meeting the labour needs of employers. ................................................................... 30
Issue 6 Challenging labour market with high youth and Aboriginal unemployment, skill shortage
areas and an ageing workforce. .............................................................................................................. 31
Issue 7 Workforce development to meet socioeconomic impacts on regional areas due to proposed
legislative water reforms through the Murray–Darling Basin reform. ................................................... 34
Appendices .......................................................................................................................... 35
Appendix A — Stakeholders .................................................................................................................... 35
Appendix B — Existing related plans and strategies ............................................................................... 36
Abbreviations ....................................................................................................................... 38
REGIONAL EDUCATION, SKILLS AND JOBS PLANS
The Australian Government announced the Regional Education, Skills and Jobs Plans initiative in the
2011–12 Budget, as part of the Building Australia’s Future Workforce package. The initiative addresses
four key areas of the Australian Government’s productivity and social inclusion agendas: early childhood
education and care; Year 12 attainment; participation in vocational and higher education; and local job
opportunities.
The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) has deployed 34 Regional
Education, Skills and Jobs (RESJ) Coordinators to work with local stakeholders to develop Regional
Education, Skills and Jobs Plans for the 46 Regional Development Australia (RDA) areas that cover nonmetropolitan Australia.
The plans present locally identified opportunities and challenges and outline local strategies to improve
education, skills and jobs outcomes in regional Australia.
For more information, including the contact details of your local RESJ Coordinator, please refer to the
Regional Education, Skills and Jobs webpage at www.deewr.gov.au/resj.
Strategies
Each plan reflects community priorities and includes goals and local strategies to achieve the
community’s objectives, based on four key themes: early childhood education and care; school
education; tertiary education and training; and jobs, skills and workforce development.
The plans build on the range of services and programs already offered by DEEWR and the strategies draw
on the programs of other government agencies and the opportunities arising from major local projects.
Community engagement
The plans were developed by RESJ Coordinators with close community engagement and include views
from young people, parents, employers, educators, service providers, peak bodies, community leaders,
government organisations and agencies, and other interested individuals and organisations. The plans
draw strongly upon existing strategic plans in each region, including the local RDA regional plan.
DEEWR acknowledges the traditional owners of the Murray RDA region and their elders past and present
recognising their continuing connection to country. This plan strives to build and harness mutually
respectful relationships and reflect community priorities in education, skills and jobs development for
the region.
Implementation
The RESJ Coordinator, on behalf of DEEWR, will oversee the implementation of the strategies and
promote and coordinate linkages between the government agencies, providers and stakeholders
involved in this plan’s implementation.
Progress towards achieving the goals within each plan will be closely monitored, while stakeholders will
be kept informed through participation in plan strategies.
This edition incorporates strategies that respond to changes in local circumstances identified through
continuing community input or changing government priorities in regional Australia as well as access to
new data. The plans continue to be living and responsive documents that will be revisited throughout
their implementation to June 2014.
Regional Education, Skills and Jobs Plan – Murray 4
www.deewr.gov.au/resj
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Murray region stretches almost 97,796.3 square kilometres along the Murray River from the
Snowy Mountains in the east to the South Australian border in the west. It is covered by 13 Local
Government Areas (LGAs): Albury, Greater Hume, Corowa (Upper Murray), Urana, Berrigan, Jerilderie,
Deniliquin, Conargo, Murray, Wakool (Central Murray), Balranald, Wentworth (Lower Murray) and
Tumbarumba. Note that changes to the boundaries of some New South Wales RDA regions in 2012
resulted in the Tumbarumba Shire being moved from the Southern Inland RDA region to the Murray RDA
region. This change is reflected in the revised Murray and Southern Inland RESJ Plans.
The region has strong economic ties with Victoria and its river towns of Wodonga, Swan Hill, Echuca and
Mildura.
The region is strategically placed, offering the competitive advantages of location, climate, workforce
availability, training and infrastructure requirements. The Murray region extends along 1400 kilometres
of the Murray River but also takes in the Murrumbidgee and Darling rivers. Access to water drives the
rural economy through water trading, agriculture, tourism and urban development.
A comprehensive environmental scan and community consultation have been carried out to identify the
key education, skills and jobs challenges for the region. The challenges include:

meeting the Closing the Gap targets in all areas for Indigenous Australians

meeting the immediate and long-term requirements of the national child care reforms on early
childhood centres

providing engaging educational pathways for young people to reach Year 12 or equivalent

providing local options and pathways to tertiary and further education, for people to study and
work in the region

a challenging labour market, with high youth and Indigenous unemployment, an ageing
population and areas of skill shortage particularly in the health, education, trades and agriculture
sectors

the impact of water restrictions on sustainable economic and workforce development,
particularly in the agriculture and tourism industries.
The key goals of this RESJ Plan are to:

support early childhood education and care providers to have strategies in place to effectively
transition to the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education and Care

provide localised employment pathways for Indigenous Australians, people with disabilities,
migrants, youth and older Australians

provide engaging pathways to assist young people to achieve Year 12 or equivalent

provide localised and flexible pathways for young people to study, train and work in the region

provide a more coordinated and responsive whole-of-government approach to addressing local
issues.
Regional Education, Skills and Jobs Plan – Murray 5
www.deewr.gov.au/resj
The Murray region has a RDA Committee with a broad plan, including education, skills and employment
opportunities. The Murray RESJ Plan complements the existing goals and strategies in the RDA Murray
Plan which has informed the development of the RESJ plan.
Some outcomes achieved by the RESJ Coordinator working with local stakeholders include:

Assisting to establish the Deniliquin Work Skills Project which promotes localised opportunities in
education, training and employment to encourage skills, knowledge and experience to remain in
the region through the retention of youth and mature age workers. This project facilitated
increased interaction between, schools, TAFE, university and business/industry in the region. The
program was launched in November 2012 to approximately 70 stakeholders and has successfully
engaged corporate sponsorship from local business and industry.

Facilitating a Murray Campaspe Community Services forum in November 2012 in Moama to
identify workforce development issues for the sector, raise awareness and understanding of
government programs and funding available and develop regional strategies to help employers
overcome the identified workforce issues. The forum was attended by 85 representatives from
children services, aged care and disability services from across New South Wales and Victoria. An
additional workshop was delivered by the Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council
on how to develop applications to the National Workforce Development Fund and Workplace
English, Language and Literacy programs.

Delivering the HR Networking for Knowledge (N4K) Forum Business Breakfasts in Wagga Wagga
and Leeton/Griffith during May 2012 in partnership with the NSW Business Chamber. The
breakfasts provided networking and partnership building opportunities for local business, as well
as information on Australian Government funding and support available for business to upskill
new and existing workers. Approximately 40 marketing, human resources, business development
and operations managers from local enterprises attended.

Supporting the Murray Industry and Community Education Employment Partnership (MICEEP)
School and Community Partnership Broker to deliver a Youth Mental Health Forum in Albury in
October 2012 to increase teachers’ awareness of youth mental health issues, local service
provision, and develop student centred strategies. Approximately 100 students and support staff
attended the forum.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE REGION
This section sets out the characteristics of the region identified through a comprehensive environmental
scan and local consultations. The information detailed in this section is not exhaustive of the
characteristics of the region, but provides an overview and insight to some of the challenges facing the
region.
To guide the RESJ Coordinator’s identification of issues and engagement with the community, various
data sets have supported the development of this plan. Data used in the development of this plan was
sourced from DEEWR, the Australian Bureau of Statistics and other relevant sources. Data referred to
may have been reformulated and was correct at time of drafting. Different data sets are refreshed at
different intervals, for example, unemployment rates are updated monthly for national and
state/territory figures and quarterly for regions.
Population
The region is the traditional lands of a number of Aboriginal nations, including the Barkindj, Muthi Muthi,
Wadi Wadi, Wamba Wamba, Barapa Barapa, Yorta Yorta, Dhadaroa and Wiradjuri peoples.
In 2011, there were an estimated 114,533 residents in the Murray region which is a decline of 0.5 per cent between 2010 and 2011 lower than the New South Wales average of 0.9 per cent and the
Australian average of 1.2 per cent. Population growth is varied across the whole region, however Murray
RDA reports most areas within the Western half of the region have experienced population decline due
to ongoing issues from recent weather conditions, changes to rural industries as well as outward
migration of younger generations. The NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure has projected
that the proportion of people aged 65 and over within the region will increase to 31.1 per cent by 2036,
up from 16.1 per cent in 2006. This ageing effect is expected to create new social and economic
opportunities and challenges for the region.
2011 Census data indicates there were 22,577 (19.8%) people of school age (5 to 19 years) in the region;
72,027 (62.9%) people of working age (15 to 64 years); and 20,716 (18.8%) people aged 65 years or
more. The median age for the region is 41 years and the median age for Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander people is 20 years, with the largest cohort of people being aged between 50 to 54 years (7.3%),
followed by people aged 15 to 19 years (6.9%).
At the time of the 2011 Census, 3 per cent of the Murray RDA population identified as Aboriginal or
Torres Strait Islander, compared to 2.5 per cent for New South Wales as a whole and the Australia.
Albury and Wentworth LGAs had the highest number of Aboriginal peoples in the region by number of
people with the least in Conargo. Table 1 provides more detail. A further 14 per cent of the population
were born overseas (compared to NSW 32%, Australia 31%) and 86 per cent were born in Australia
(compared to NSW 68%, Australia 69%).
Regional Education, Skills and Jobs Plan – Murray 7
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Table 1: Population characteristics of the Murray RDA region, 2011
Indigenous Population
Local Government Area
Population in Total 2011
No. of People
% of population
49,467
1107
2.3
Balranald
2361
154
6.7
Berrigan
8282
166
2.1
Conargo
1585
30
1.9
Corowa
11302
141
1.3
Deniliquin
7317
258
3.6
10,039
202
2.1
Jerilderie
1534
47
3.1
Murray
7159
232
3.3
Tumbarumba
3440
83
2.5
Urana
1180
39
3.4
Wakool
4080
94
2.4
Wentworth
6787
681
10.3
Albury
Greater Hume
Source: 2011 Census: Regional Population Growth, Australia 2011
The NSW Government released the NSW 2021 Plan in their 2012-13 Budget Papers. Goal 3 of the
NSW 2021 Plan states that the NSW Government will work with regional communities, businesses and
local government to achieve steady and strategic growth in our regions, with one of the targets to
increase the population in regional New South Wales by 470,000 people by 2036. To complement the
NSW 2021 Plan and facilitate the delivery of long term goals the NSW Government have developed, in
consultation with community, Regional Action Plans (RAPs). The Murray-Darling Region RAP lists the
communities’ priorities for the region over the next 10 years under the following strategic platforms:

support economic growth within the region

engaging with families and young people to improve education outcomes and increase
community participation and employment opportunities

integrate and improve human service delivery

identify and resolve Victoria/NSW cross border issues

improve regional infrastructure
Actions and strategies have been developed under each of the priorities, all of which support Goal 3 of
the NSW 2021 Plan. Opportunity exists for whole of government collaboration on numerous projects.
Early childhood education and care
As part of the National Reform Agenda for Early Childhood, the Australian Government has committed to
achieving universal access to early childhood education for all children in the year before school. The
early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector includes public, private for-profit and communitybased service providers and provides preschool, occasional care, family day care, long day care and
outside school hours care services.
In 2011 there were an estimated 7096 children aged 0 to 4 years within the Murray RDA region, with
most ECEC services being located in the city of Albury. Community feedback has indicated that ECEC
services within the region are already at capacity, with long waiting lists and limited early intervention
services for children with disabilities.
Further community consultations indicate that ECEC services in the region vary in their preparedness and
planning for the requirements of the National Quality Framework. Among these services there is great
diversity in financial and operational capacity and the complexity of the communities they work in. Often
services are isolated and are the only provider within a town with limited access to training, qualified
staff or the ability to share resources and ideas through established networks.
A significant number of experienced ECEC employees within the region have minimal or no formal
qualifications and will need to engage in further education to transition to the National Quality
Framework. State Training Services NSW have indicated that an estimated 5800 New South Wales child
care workers will require up skilling as part of the early child care reforms. Access to the Australian
Government’s Recognition of Prior Learning initiative will provide support for ECEC services with
experienced employees.
To address workforce issues for the sector an ECEC Roundtable forum was held in Moama in November
2012 to develop innovative strategies to meet workforce challenges and raise understanding of current
workforce challenges and opportunities. The next stage of the forum is to develop a strategic leadership
group that will drive the strategies and projects developed from the forum on a regional level.
The Murray RDA region has two Aboriginal designated Supplementary Recurrent Assistance funded
preschools: Koori Kindermanna Preschool in Albury, which has 25.9 Aboriginal full-time equivalent
places; and Gyndarna Pre-School Inc. in Dareton, which has 41 Aboriginal full-time equivalent places
(2012 figures). Both centres have been vital in linking the Aboriginal community with education and have
recently received New South Wales Capital Grants enabling them to extend their services to
accommodate more children and offer a broader curriculum. However, Aboriginal children and their
families continue to be the minority group accessing ECEC services within the region compared to nonAboriginal children and families.
Koori Kindermanna also received funding through the DEEWR-funded Parental and Community
Engagement program in 2012 to run a numeracy program called ‘Parents Teaching Children’ which
targeted 200 parents, carers and community members and included a series of workshops for parents,
book, resource kit and DVD for parents to take home and utilise with their children.
NSW Family and Community Services report that services supporting Aboriginal participation foster
relationships; embrace and build on children’s learning; teach language and culture; engage families;
provide an inclusive and meaningful environment; and allow local elders and the community to be
involved within the development of culturally appropriate activities and programs. A key component to
strengthening engagement with early childhood education and raising national outcomes for Aboriginal
children, families and communities is the recruitment and retention of Aboriginal early childhood
teachers within the ECEC industry.
The Australian Early Development Index (AEDI) measures young children’s development across five
domains: physical health and well-being; social competence; emotional maturity; school-based language
and cognitive skills; and general knowledge. 2009 AEDI data indicated at a national level, 23.6 per cent of
children were vulnerable on one or more domains and 11.8 per cent were vulnerable on two or more
domains. 2010 updated AEDI data found that the communities of Berrigan, Conargo and Urana had some
of the lowest proportions of vulnerable children for the region, more than half the national rates on both
measures. However, the AEDI communities of Jerilderie, Tumbarumba, and Wentworth had some of the
highest proportions of vulnerable children—higher than the national averages on both measures.
School education
The NSW Department of Education and Communities (DEC) provides information about schools in
New South Wales. The Murray RDA region falls within the NSW DEC Riverina Region. Currently, NSW DEC
is undergoing a departmental restructure which may result in changes to the composition of these
Regions in the near future. However, data to date remains classified by the Riverina Region.
The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual assessment
completed by every student in Years 3, 5 and 7 in four domains: reading, writing, language and
numeracy.
The NAPLAN results for the NSW DEC Riverina region, have increased across all age levels in reading and
numeracy from 2010-2011 and have exceeded the New South Wales minimum standards in most year
levels (Table 2). The Riverina Region is the NSW DEC region that most closely corresponds to the Murray
RDA region, whose boundaries do not exactly match the NSW DEC boundaries.
Table 2: Proportion of NSW DEC Riverina Region students who were at or above the minimum
standard in 2011 (%)
Year 3
Year 5
Year 7
Year 9
Reading
97.7
96.1
97.3
94.5
NSW
95.4
91.2
95.1
91.3
Numeracy
95.7
94.4
94.0
90.9
NSW
96.5
95.0
94.5
92.9
Source: NSW Department of Education and Communities, Key Statistics and Information, Assessment 2011
In 2012, the Department of Education and Communities, New South Wales public school February
census enrolment data indicated 32,646 students within the NSW DEC Riverina region were enrolled
within a New South Wales public school (primary and secondary) which is a drop of around 146 students
from 2011. Schools for specific purposes had 270 students enrolled which is an increase of 13 students
from 2011-2012.
Table 3 provides some detail of apparent school retention rates in Riverina. The rates shown in the table
are significantly lower than the rates for New South Wales; however there has been improvement from
2010 to 2011. At a regional level, rates tend to be more volatile because of smaller populations,
socioeconomic disadvantage, varying enrolment patterns to complete secondary education and student
movement between school regions and school sectors. These rates are also strongly linked with the
region’s low higher education levels and the increasing demand for tertiary qualified professionals in the
region.
Table 3: Apparent full-time retention rates for NSW DEC Riverina Region public schools, 2005 to
2011 (%) of enrolments
Level
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
NSW Retention
Rates (2011)
Years 7-10
86.6
85.5
85.6
87.3
87.5
90.4
92.2
102.3
Years 10-12
56.8
56.8
57.8
55.5
57.7
59.7
60.6
73
Years 7-12
50.6
50.6
50.0
47.5
49.4
52.1
53
70.5
Source: NSW Department of Education and Communities June 2011; NSW DEC Riverina region is the DEC region that most closely
corresponds to the Murray RDA region, whose boundaries do not exactly match the NSW DEC boundaries
The National Partnership Agreement on Low Socio-economic Status School Communities aims to
transform the way schooling takes place in participating schools and addresses the complex challenges
facing students in disadvantaged communities. This is a joint initiative between the Australian
Government, the NSW Department of Education, the Catholic Education Office and the Association of
Independent Schools of NSW.
There are approximately 18 participating schools in the Murray RDA region. These schools are funded to
explore innovative measures to improve learning outcomes for students from disadvantaged
backgrounds. Central to these activities are partnerships with parents, other schools and businesses.
To meet the complex challenges around student retention and attainment, many schools within the
region are investing within mentoring and transitional programs, strengthening industry links to support
School-based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SbATs), and have implemented alternative learning
pathways for disadvantaged and disengaged young people. The programs include a mixture of accredited
courses, work experience and school-based learning. Community organisations, School Business
Community Partnership Brokers and Youth Connections providers are supporting schools who deliver
these programs. Additional support for young people is available through the Mentors for Youth which is
a partnership between NSW DEC, and Youth Connections provider YES Services. Mentors for youth train
community members to become mentors for school and community based mentoring programs within
both primary and secondary schools within Albury. Opportunity exists to expand on this program to
better support all students across the Murray RDA region.
NSW DEC Vocational Education and Training in Schools directorate reported as at 7 January 2013, there
were 25 school-based apprenticeships and 219 traineeships currently in training within the NSW DEC
Riverina Region, with Deniliquin, Tooleybuc and James Fallon High Schools with the highest number of
sign-ups within the Murray RDA region. This has been attributed to streamlined sign up processes,
having a SbAT champion within the school, and community awareness.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that the barriers to SbAT uptake include:

difficulty in circulating information to parents and employers

the need to establish productive links with group training organisations and Australian
Apprenticeships Centres

the fact that some students lack the basic skills for work.
In August 2012 NSW DEC officially launched the Bright Future Campaign aimed at supporting and
promoting Structured Workplace Learning and SbATS to employers around New South Wales. The
campaign is working to address any concerns or misconceptions that businesses might have about taking
on a school based apprentice, trainee or work placement student and showcasing the benefits for
industry, employers, and students. The target of the campaign is to encourage an extra 2000 employers
to get involved and hire school based apprentices, trainees or host work placement students.
Trade training is an important element of the Australian Government’s workforce participation and
development agenda. It will help address national skills shortages in both traditional trades and
emerging industries by improving the relevance and responsiveness of trade training programs in eligible
secondary schools. There are currently eight Trade Training Centres in Schools (TTCs) in the Murray RDA
region with a further in development at Xavier Catholic High School in Albury who were approved for
funding in the last funding round (Round 4) to refurbish existing facilities to include a commercial kitchen
to deliver Certificate II qualifications in hospitality.
The TTCs in Schools Program provides opportunities for students to stay in school and either commence
on a pathway to employment in skill needs areas or, after completing school, continue further education
and/or training. It is important that TTCs have arrangements to maximise the opportunities for young
people to gain training, experience and pathways to employment. This can be achieved by using TTCs
holistically to benefit the community—by supporting School based Apprenticeships and Traineeships and
by linking and sharing with other schools, industry TAFE and other registered training organisations.
Tertiary providers, TAFE, School Business Community Partnership Brokers and NSW DEC Riverina are
developing region-specific projects to increase Year 12 or equivalent attainment. There is an opportunity
to increase attainment rates by improving links between industry, schools and VET, and by improving
teaching quality through professional development forums that highlight successful projects and best
practice in student engagement.
Tertiary education and training
2011 Census data indicates 29.1 per cent of people within the Murray RDA region were attending an
educational institution. Of these, 27.9 per cent were in primary school, 23.3 per cent in secondary school
and 17.3 per cent in a tertiary or technical institution. 38.8 per cent of the Murray RDA population
15 years and over had completed post-school qualifications (compared to 45.3% for New South Wales as
a whole and 44.4% for Australia); 27.3 per cent of have achieved Year 10 or its equivalent (NSW 23.9%
and 20.9% Australia) and 34 per cent have achieved Year 12 or its equivalent which is below the New
South Wales and Australian rates (both 49.2%). Table 4 provides further detail and provides a
comparison of the Indigenous and non-Indigenous population between 25 and 65 years of age in 2011.
Table 4: Persons aged 25-64 by highest non-school qualification completed by Indigenous status
(% of population) 2011
Murray RDA region
Post-school qualifications
New South Wales
Indigenous %
Total
population %
Indigenous %
Total
Population %
Degree or Higher
6.0
17
9.0
29
Diploma/Advance Diploma
4.0
9.0
7.0
11
Certificate undefined
1.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
Cert III & IV Level
17
25
20
19
Certificate I & II Level
3.0
2.0
3.0
2.0
No Post Qualification
69
46
60
38
Source: 2011 Census: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Population and Housing: Basic Community Profile, 2011 Second Release
(cat. No. 2001.0)
Regional students often face complex challenges when entering higher education, these include:
relocating to access desired pathways, course availability, and the substantial costs associated with
accessing educational opportunities.
The Murray RDA region offers quality higher education options for school leavers, those seeking to
advance in their education and those wishing to re-train. The region is serviced by the following tertiary
institutions:

Charles Sturt University – Albury campus

La Trobe University – Wodonga and Mildura campuses

TAFE NSW Riverina Institute(RI TAFE) – Albury, Corowa, Deniliquin and Finley campuses

Wodonga TAFE

Sunraysia TAFE – Mildura

National Environment Centre – Thurgoona

The University of New South Wales Rural Clinical School – Albury Base Hospital.
There is also a range of private training organisations providing vocational education and training
opportunities in the region including but not limited to:
 Australian Industry Group (AIG)

Australian Business limited

ATEL Employment Services

CVGT – Employment and Training Specialists

Albury Wodonga Continuing Education centre.
In 2011, RI TAFE became a Commonwealth approved higher education provider, enabling the Institute to
expand its higher education provision commencing with an Associate Degree in Accounting at the Wagga
Wagga campus in 2012. RI indicated within its Annual Report that in 2011 they offered 559 courses to
32,357 students across 20 campuses and speciality centres across the Riverina and Murray RDA regions;
35.1 per cent of students aged 15-24 years completed Certificate II and above, 34.9 per cent of students
enrolled at Certificate III or above, 13.8 per cent enrolled in Certificate IV or above, 5.3 per cent enrolled
at diploma and above. Aboriginal enrolments made up 8.3 per cent of total enrolments with
16.7 per cent enrolling in Certificate III or above.
As at January 2012, State Training Services NSW indicated there were around 9000 apprenticeships,
existing worker traineeships and new entrant traineeships in the Riverina-Murray. Across the nation, the
completion rate for apprenticeships is approximately 48 per cent and more than three of every 10 new
apprentices drop out in their first year. Feedback from the community indicates that the rates are similar
for the Murray RDA region.
A number of state and federal programs aim to increase the retention and completion rate of
apprenticeships. They include the Australian Apprenticeships Mentoring Program and the
Accelerated Australian Apprenticeships program. The Australian Government has also funded several
Australian Apprenticeships Centres to provide a one-stop-shop to people seeking to engage an
apprentice or trainee or people wanting to take up an apprenticeship or traineeship as a career pathway.
The Murray RDA region faces emerging skills shortages and the provision of appropriate VET and higher
education services is a critical element in addressing this issue. In 2010 State Training Services NSW listed
the top five areas of vocational training in the region were food processing, primary industry,
engineering and mining, process manufacturing, community services, health and education. The high
level of interest in the manufacturing trades is evident as a large proportion of the population have
certificate and trade qualifications.
In 2011 the NSW Government established the Tertiary Pathways Review Committee as part of its
commitment to increase young people’s participation in post-school education and training. In
June 2012, the committee made 15 recommendations within the following areas:

enhanced transparency and better evidence-based decisions

higher aspirations and expectations

improved educational attainment and preparation for tertiary study

equitable financial support

expanded opportunities for rural and regional students

better communication and information for students and parents

incentives for innovation.
RI TAFE is addressing skill shortages within the region by expanding the number of integrated TAFE
pathways and articulations through strategic partnerships and programs in the fields of construction,
community services, fine arts, business, IT, social work, sports management, children’s services, nursing
and environmental science.
Charles Sturt University is pursuing a range of strategies to increase aspirations, participation and
attainment for students from rural and remote areas and for low socioeconomic status students. It is
doing this through programs such as the Future Moves program, the Study Link program, the Student
Transition and Retention Plan, Study Centres, the Indigenous Student Services team, scholarships, and
the Darrambal Skills Assessment Program. It also has a Regional and Remote Learning Support Team who
visit distant education students in regional New South Wales to provide support and enhance prospects
for successful completion of qualifications.
Making regionally based higher education more accessible to rural people leads to significantly higher
rates of retention of graduates in the region. This, in turn, provides a higher level of service to regional
people, and increased employment outcomes.
Jobs, skills and workforce development
In 2009 the National Regional Profile indicated the average wage and salary income for those in the
Murray RDA region was $37,857. This is significantly lower than the Australian average for the same
period, which was $46,599 which correlates with the regions lower levels of educational attainment. The
participation rate for the Murray RDA region in 2011 was 59.4 per cent, below the New South Wales rate
of 59.8 per cent and the national rate of 61.4 per cent. In September 2012, the unemployment rate for
the region was 5.7 per cent with unemployment rates decreasing across most LGAs in the region
(Table 5), with Wentworth, Albury and Berrigan above the New South Wales rate of 4.9 per cent and the
national rate of 5.1 per cent.
Table 5: Unemployment rates in the Murray RDA region (%)
Statistical Local Area
2011
2012
Albury
7.9
6.7
Balranald
5.3
4.1
Berrigan
6.8
5.5
Conargo
5.6
4.9
Corowa
5.3
4.9
Deniliquin
5.9
5.1
Greater Hume (Pt A)
3.2
2.8
Greater Hume (Pt B)
4.6
4.1
Jerilderie
3.8
3.3
Murray
5.2
4.2
Tumbarumba
4.0
3.8
Urana
5.2
4.7
Wakool
4.8
3.9
Wentworth
9.0
8.1
Source: DEEWR, NSW Small Area Labour Market Information, September 2011 and 2012
Teenagers in the full-time labour market can be particularly vulnerable to change, especially when there
is a market downturn. 2011 data for the Murray–Murrumbidgee Labour Force Region indicated that
30.1 per cent of people aged 15 to 19 years in the region were searching for full-time employment in.
This is notably higher than the rate for New South Wales generally (23.7%) or Australia as a whole
(23.0%) in 2011.
At the 2011 Census, health care and social assistance, agriculture, manufacturing and retail trade were
the largest employing industries for the region. Murray Now have indicated the Murray region’s
economy features a broad spectrum of robust industry sectors such as manufacturing, engineering,
construction, agribusiness, health, education, retail and tourism. Attracting suitably skilled applicants and
retaining staff has become a major issue in the region due to the diversity of unfilled jobs in the current
labour market. There is great opportunity within the region to help employers to link with private
registered training organisations and higher education providers to grow and up skill the current
workforce.
The Deniliquin Business Chamber have partnered with local education, training, and employment
providers, government and industry to develop a community focused initiative by the name of ‘Work
Skills’. The aim of the program is to map current and future skills shortages and link localised and
targeted training and skills development to future employment opportunities. Work Skills will assist in
the future economic growth of Deniliquin and surrounding Local Government Areas by supporting local
business and local people.
The initiative will target 4 key groups:

school leavers, and unemployed youth

long term unemployed

those that face obstacles in joining the workforce (mature aged workers, disability)

Indigenous.
The RESJ Coordinator is a member of the Work Skills Steering Committee to develop and drive strategic
projects in conjunction with the Advisory Group which is made up of local corporate sponsors.
The RESJ Coordinators for the Murray and Loddon Mallee RDA regions have been working in
collaboration with Murray and Campaspe Shire Councils to address emerging workforce development
issues for the community services sector. According to the Community Services and Health Industry Skills
Council, community services is the largest industry across Australia and is growing at twice the average
rate of all other industries. This industry is expected to generate one in four of all new jobs in Australia
by 2016.
In addition to this growth, significant reforms in service provision in each service sector are driving
change and creating workforce development challenges and opportunities. This is most apparent in the
Murray and the Campaspe area, where workforce challenges also arise from cross border anomalies and
barriers in accessing training are experienced. The forum was attended by 85 key stakeholders from
children services, aged care and disability services. The aims of the forum were to raise understanding of:
current workforce challenges and opportunities; government assistance and funding available to
employers for the up-skilling and training of existing workforce; and new workers; and to develop
innovative strategies to meet these workforce challenges across the industry in the regional community.
Working groups will be formed as a result of the forum that will create a strategic workforce
development framework and projects which will be utilised to secure government funding for up skilling
working in the industry and increase recruitment and retention of staff within the sector.
The region is largely reliant on its $3 billion agricultural industry; it is the third largest vegetable growing
area in New South Wales producing a third of the state’s grapes, a quarter of its citrus fruit, and over half
of Australia’s rice crop. RDA Murray states the region generates 39 per cent of Australia’s agricultural
production, 40 per cent of which is associated with irrigation. The agriculture industry is the dominant
employment industry for the LGAs of Balranald, Berrigan, Conargo, Greater Hume, Jerilderie, Wakool,
Wentworth and Urana. Table 6 depicts the indicative employment rates by industry for the Murray
population in comparison to New South Wales.
Table 6: Indicative Employment by Industry in the Murray RDA Region 2011 (% of population)
Industry
Murray RDA Region (%)
New South Wales (%)
Health Care and Social Assistance
11.7
11.6
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing
11.5
2.2
Manufacturing
11.0
8.4
Retail Trade
10.9
10.4
Accommodation and Food Services
7.6
6.7
Construction
7.5
7.3
Education and Training
7.4
7.9
Public Administration and Safety
6.3
6.1
Transport, Postal and Warehousing
4.5
4.9
Professional, Scientific and Technical
3.6
7.9
Other Services
3.5
3.8
Wholesale Trade
3.1
4.4
Administrative and Support Services
2.4
3.3
Inadequately Described
2.4
2.5
Financial and Insurance Services
1.7
5.1
Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste
1.3
1.1
1.0
1.6
Arts and Recreation Services
1.0
1.5
Information Media and
0.9
2.3
0.6
1.0
Services
Services
Rental, Hiring and Real Estate
Services
Telecommunications
Mining
Source: 2011 Census of Population and Housing, Time Series Profile (cat. no. 2069.0.30.003), T25 Industry of Employment by Sex
for Time Series
The Murray RDA region has good access to Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney, Adelaide and other major
regional centres. Partly because of this, it is experiencing growth in manufacturing, transport and
warehousing, and tourism. These industries are well supported through education and training courses
available through TTCs, TAFE, private registered training organisations and university. There is an
emerging mining and resources sector in the region. Iluka Resources Limited has a feasibility study in
progress into mineral sand deposits in Balranald, and Bemax Resources Ltd are looking to expand their
heavy mineral mining operations within the Murray Basin which will also include a site within Balranald.
The expansion of the mining sector has the potential to increase employment and business opportunities
in the region. Government, community and local service providers in the region have created a project
taskforce to ensure that the Aboriginal and broader communities benefit socially and economically from
the projects.
Three other major developments have the potential to boost the region’s economy:

Redevelopment of Echuca Regional Health—the Victorian Government committed $40 million in
its 2011 Budget to increase the capacity of health services for an extended catchment, including
Victorian and New South Wales residents.

Ettamogah Rail Hub—this leading-edge transport facility for eastern Australia handles over
100,000 tonnes of freight annually. There is potential for other operators to use the hub as
demand increases.

Albury Industrial Hub—Albury City Council is developing more than 477 hectares of industrial
land on the outskirts of Albury.
Other characteristics
Murray–Darling Basin Plan
On 22 November 2012, the Australian Government delivered the final Murray-Darling Basin Plan that will
restore rivers to health, support regional communities and sustainable food production. The Australian
Government has also committed to provide an additional $1.77 billion to relax key operating constraints
and recover an additional 450GL of environmental water to look to achieve the environmental outcomes
described in the 3200GL modelling and do so through projects to ensure there is no social and economic
downside for communities. $5.2 billion will be spend on irrigation infrastructure that will contribute to
increased irrigation productivity and provide employment benefits during design and construction
phases.
Murray–Darling Basin communities are working with government services and RDA Murray on the
development of regional economic diversification projects to develop creative, long-term solutions that
will assist diversify their skills and the economy.
Cross-border coordination
RDA Murray has indicated there are strong relationships between communities on either side of the
Murray who face similar issues. In early 2012 the NSW Government appointed the Cross-Border
Commissioner, who will help people living near borders with other states and territories to tackle crossborder issues that affect them in their everyday lives. The commissioner will talk to communities about
the issues, bring issues to the attention of the NSW Government and work to identify and remedy
anomalies. The establishment of the position is important for the sustainability and long-term growth of
businesses and the lives of residents currently affected by cross-border differences.
Technology
The rollout of the National Broadband Network is eagerly awaited by people in the Murray region. In
particular, business, education and health service providers look forward to developing flexible and
interchangeable communication modes that will increase the capacity of current online learning and
online clinical practices to regional and remote areas.
Tourism
RDA Murray is partnering with Murray regional Tourism Board, RDA Loddon Mallee and RDA Hume to
deliver the Murray Regional Tourism Product Gap Analysis and Tourism Development Plan. This project
will deliver a market focused analysis of the Murray region’s tourism product offer, to enable
identification and prioritisation of investment opportunities in tourism facilities, products and services to
grow visitation to the region.
ISSUES, GOALS AND STRATEGIES
This section sets out the issues and goals identified through local consultation. It also details the specific
strategies that will help achieve the community’s objectives. The issues and strategies will be reviewed
and may be modified throughout the implementation of the plan to June 2014 to ensure they respond to
emerging issues and opportunities or changing community or government priorities in the Murray RDA
region.
The programs and stakeholders listed in the following tables are indicative only. Both may vary over time
and any listing does not guarantee either the availability of program funding or stakeholder involvement.
The four key themes of the Regional Education, Skills and Jobs Plans initiative are:

Early childhood education and care

School education

Tertiary education and training

Jobs, skills and workforce development
The numbering of each issue is for ease of reference only and does not indicate its priority within the
region. They are generally sequenced according to the life cycle of the four key themes listed above.
Regional Education, Skills and Jobs Plan – Murray 21
www.deewr.gov.au/resj
Issue 1
Skills shortages have been identified in industries across the
region, including agriculture, health, trades, aged care,
education, engineering, tourism, hospitality, accounting and
management.
Goal:
Develop strategic and specific strategies to meet emerging skills and labour
shortages and maximise the productive use of people in the Murray.
Theme(s):
Early childhood education and care; School education; Tertiary education and
training; Jobs, skills and workforce development.
Strategies
Stakeholders
Programs








Promote whole-of-government responses to skills
shortages, developing a coordinated approach to
the funding and development of local and regional
initiatives.
Continue to engage with the Work Skills steering
committee and Deniliquin Business Chamber to
implement strategies and activities that will support
local industry, business and employers to train and
employ locally.
Support RDA Murray with the ongoing promotion
of the Deniliquin Innovation Expo to schools,
industry, employers and government stakeholders.
Continue to facilitate the Murray Campaspe
Community Services Forum steering committee in
collaboration with the Loddon Mallee RESJ
Coordinator to respond to forum feedback by
engaging industry on working groups that will
develop local workforce plans and initiatives, and
access funding for new and existing workers in
Children Services, Aged Care and Disability Services.
Engage with the Committee for Echuca Moama to
support the development of an education and
employment action plan for the region with
particular focus on increasing training and
employment within community services and health
sectors to meet the needs of an aging population
and workforce.
Link the service provider network, including Jobs
Services Australia (JSA) and Disability Employment
Service (DES) providers with government, business
and industry groups within the region through
participation within training, skills development and
employment forums and expos.
Attend local industry forums and work with RDA
Murray and business chambers to educate
employers and industry about the benefits of
providing training to existing and new employees.












Aboriginal Affairs
NSW
Business chambers
Department of
Education and
Communities (NSW)
Department of
Families, Housing,
Community Services
and Indigenous Affairs
DES providers
JSA providers
Local councils
NSW RESJ
Coordinators
RDA Murray
School Business
Community
Partnership Brokers
State Training Services
(NSW)
TAFE NSW
Tertiary providers





Adult Australian
Apprenticeships
Australian
Government Skills
Connect
DES
Education Investment
Fund
JSA
User Choice
Regional Education, Skills and Jobs Plan – Murray 22
www.deewr.gov.au/resj
Issue 2
The immediate and long-term impacts of national child care
reforms on early childhood centres.
Goal:
Early childhood education and child care (ECEC) providers are supported to have
strategies in place to effectively transition to the National Quality Framework.
Theme(s):
Early childhood education and care; Tertiary education and training; Jobs, skills
and workforce development.
Strategies
Stakeholders
Programs









Collaborate with ECEC networks to conduct a
survey of local ECEC services to identify strengths,
gaps, short-term and long-term needs in meeting
training and employment needs.
Collaborate with Committee for Echuca Moama
(C4EM), and the Murray Campaspe Community
Services Forum steering committee to drive the
formation of an Early Childhood Strategic
Leadership Network group to respond to the ECEC
employer survey and progress workforce strategies
for the sector.
Facilitate linkages between ECEC providers who are
advanced in the transition to the National Quality
Framework and providers who require higher level
support, helping to share information, resources
and strategies.
Continue to support and promote regional ECEC
stakeholder workshops and forums in locations
where providers can share experiences, best
practice, information and resources.
Continue to provide information on key initiatives
and programs to all early childhood education
providers in the Murray RDA region to encourage
delivery of state and federal funded training that
will up skill new and existing staff.
Support higher education and tertiary providers to
make early childhood education programs more
accessible through online learning and innovative
initiatives.















Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander Early
Childhood Sector
Advisory Group
C4EM
Charles Sturt
University
Children’s Services
Central
Department of
Education and
Communities (NSW)
ECEC providers
Families NSW
Gowrie NSW
Indigenous
Employment Program
(IEP) panel members
Industry Skills Council
Job Services Australia
(JSA) providers
Local councils
Registered training
organisations
State Training Services
(NSW)
TAFE NSW
Tertiary providers





IEP
Inclusion and
Professional Support
Program
JSA
National Workforce
Development Funding
Recognition of Prior
Learning Assessment
Grants
Strategic Skills
Program
Workplace English
Language and Literacy
Goals:
Increase the number of experienced early childhood carers retained in the
industry.
Early childhood education and child care (ECEC) providers are supported and have
localised short and long term strategies in place to meet requirements of training
and employment pathways, and child care reforms.
Theme(s):
Early childhood education and care; Tertiary education and training; Jobs, skills
and workforce development.
Strategies
Stakeholders
Programs







Identify and promote flexible training delivery
options to up skill existing workers including
bringing trainers to communities and using
technology to access training.
Continue to inform ECEC stakeholders in the
Murray RDA region about key government
programs and initiatives that provide opportunities
to up skill existing and new workers through
regional cluster networks.
Participate in local early childhood network
meetings to support access funding opportunities
and regional initiatives.
Engage with ECEC service providers, Industry Skills
Council and higher education providers to support
long-term strategies that will increase Aboriginal
enrolments in early childhood education courses.
Identify examples of ECEC excellence, and celebrate
and share achievements across the Murray RDA
region through networks and good news stories.












Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander Early
Childhood Sector
Advisory Group
Charles Sturt
University
Department of
Education and
Communities (NSW)
ECEC providers
Indigenous
Employment Program
(IEP) panel members
Industry Skills
Councils
Job Services Australia
(JSA) providers
Local councils
RDA Murray
Registered training
organisations
State Training Services
(NSW)
TAFE NSW
Tertiary providers








Additional university
places
HECS-HELP
IEP
Indigenous Youth
Career Pathways
JSA
Recognition of Prior
Learning Assessment
Grants
School-based
Apprenticeships and
Traineeships
Supplementary
Recurrent Assistance
TAFE fee waiver
Issue 3
Low access to and participation in early childhood education
and care.
Goal:
Increase levels of school readiness within the region through increased access,
enrolment, attendance and participation in early childhood education and care
(ECEC).
Theme(s):
Early childhood education and care; Tertiary education and training; Jobs, skills
and workforce development.
Strategies
Stakeholders
Programs







Explore opportunities to link existing early
childhood education infrastructure and funding
sources to support mobile and satellite services.
Continue to work with stakeholders to increase the
number of Indigenous traineeships and Schoolbased Apprenticeships and Traineeships in the ECEC
sector to help encourage Indigenous families to
enrol their children.
Engage with local Aboriginal Education Consultative
Groups (AECGs), Aboriginal Affairs, and the
Department of Families, Housing, Community
Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) to
develop a framework for the Murray RDA region
that will increase access, enrolment and attendance
for Aboriginal children to early childhood education
and link to funding such as Parental and Community
Engagement (PaCE) and Supplementary Recurrent
Assistance.
Facilitate collaboration between key stakeholders
to provide professional development opportunities
for preschools and child care centres to help them
deliver culturally appropriate programs utilising the
working groups formed as a result of the Murray
Campaspe Community Services Forum.






AECGs
Department of
Education and
Communities (NSW)
ECEC providers
FaHCSIA
Families NSW
Local councils
Preschool directors
The Smith Family





Communities for
Children
Inclusion and
Professional Support
Program
Let’s Read
PaCE
Schools as Community
Centres
Supplementary
Recurrent Assistance
Issue 4
Text Young people are disengaging from education at key
transitional points and not completing Year 12 or its equivalent
or developing skills required for employment.
Goal:
Text Increase access to and availability of alternative educational, skills training
and employment pathways for young people within the region.
Theme(s):
School education; Tertiary education and training; Jobs, skills and workforce
development.
Strategies
Stakeholders
Programs









Support School Business Community Partnership
Brokers and Youth Connections providers to further
develop the Easy Guide guide’s to help schools and
teachers to access information about local service
providers when managing students at risk.
Explore opportunities to develop, replicate and
extend projects in partnership with stakeholders
including Job Services Australia (JSA) providers,
TAFE, Schools, Youth Connections and Partnership
Brokers that will increase local educational, training
and employment pathways for youth.
Continue to engage with the Vocational Education
in Schools (VEiS) Advisory Board to;
o inform stakeholders of DEEWR programs and
initiatives
o develop opportunities to expand and link
successful projects and develop interregional
projects/partnerships
o strengthen regional networks
o promote and share best practice
o Support the development of cross-regional
projects/partnerships.
Explore opportunities arising from the National
Broadband Network rollout to enhance access to
distance learning, including video conferencing and
streaming services.
Maintain a consultancy and referral role in the
development of youth action strategies, particularly
in Balranald, Deniliquin and Berrigan Local
Government Areas.
Identify examples of best practice strategies and
excellence of Youth Connections and School
Business Community Partnership Brokers, and
share achievements across the Murray RDA region
through networks and good news stories and add
capacity by linking with funding sources and
additional stakeholders to ensure sustainability.
Update key education and training stakeholders
and providers on key government programs and
funding relating to education, training and
employment.











Association of
Independent Schools
of NSW
Catholic Schools
Office
Department of
Education and
Communities (NSW)
JSA providers
Local councils
Registered training
organisations
School Business
Community
Partnership Broker
State Training Services
(NSW)
TAFE NSW
Tertiary providers
VEiS Advisory Board
Youth Connections
providers









Accelerated
Australian
Apprenticeships
Education Investment
Fund
Indigenous
Employment Program
Indigenous Youth
Careers Pathway
Program
JSA
Links to Learning
School Business
Community
Partnership Broker
School-based
Apprenticeships and
Traineeships
TAFE-delivered VET
Youth Connections
Goals:
Improve engagement and increase retention rates of students attending Years 11
and 12.
Increase schools’ and school communities’ awareness of the pathways to higher
education and tertiary pathways.
Develop local solutions and pathways to study and work locally.
Theme(s):
School education; Tertiary education and training; Jobs, skills and workforce
development.
Strategies
Stakeholders
Programs








Continue to support NSW Department of Education
and Communities (DEC), Partnership Brokers and
Youth Connection providers to deliver annual Youth
Mental Health Forums for students, teachers and
support staff within the Murray RDA region.
In collaboration with RDA Murray, School Business
Community Partnership Brokers and the NSW DEC
careers advisers, design and implement a survey of
secondary school students to ascertain regional
youth career and tertiary goals, knowledge and
understanding of industries, and commitment to
the Murray RDA region, to inform TAFE and
university providers of youth aspirations and
transience.
Collaborate with Work Skills, NSW DEC, School
Business Community Partnership Brokers, Youth
Connection providers, local employers, and Higher
Education providers to develop a mentoring
program for youth that will target school
engagement, transition to further training and
employment, and raise tertiary aspirations.
Develop partnerships and networks through the
School and Beyond Agricultural Group in 2013 that
will increase qualification levels, promote
Agricultural Science and promote Agriculture as a
viable pathway for youth within the Murray RDA
region.
Attend and participate in meetings and forums of
key regional groups, including primary and
secondary school principals to inform of key
Australian Government initiatives around education
and support the development of engagement and
enrichment programs that will increase school
retention and attainment rates.
Continue to support career pathway programs in
the Murray RDA region that link and introduce
primary school students from low socioeconomic
status backgrounds to career options such as the
Charles Sturt University ‘Future Moves’ program
and careers expos.











Association of
Independent Schools
of NSW
Business Chambers
Catholic Schools
Office
DEC (NSW)
Industry Skills
Councils
Local Councils
RDA Murray
School Business
Community
Partnership Brokers
State Training Services
(NSW)
TAFE NSW
Tertiary providers
Youth Connections
providers








Apprenticeship and
Traineeship Training
Program
Australian Indigenous
Education Foundation
Indigenous Youth
Career Pathways
Program
Indigenous Youth
Mobility Program
School based
Traineeships,
Apprenticeships
School Business
Community
Partnership Brokers
Sporting Chance
Program
Trade Training
Centres in Schools
Youth Connections
Goals:
Identification of emerging School-based Apprenticeships and Traineeship (SbAT)
industry options and pathways to employment.
Increased parental, school and industry awareness to allow for growth in SbATs.
Increased regional support for SbATs as a pathway to higher education and
employment.
Theme(s):
School education; Tertiary education and training; Jobs, skills and workforce
development.
Strategies
Stakeholders
Programs







Work with the education sector, service providers
and industry to explore possibilities for partnerships
and collaborations to support the implementation
and use of Trade Training Centres (TTCs) in Schools
to increase Year 12 attainment, SbATs and
employment pathways for vocational education
and training students.
Engage with the Vocational Education in Schools
(VEiS) Advisory Board, industry, schools, NSW
Department of Education and Communities (DEC),
Riverina Institute of TAFE (RI TAFE), registered
training organisations (RTOs), Industry Training
Centres, School Business Community Partnership
Brokers, Australian Apprenticeship Mentors and
Advisors, TTCs in Schools and Australian
Apprenticeship Centres to identify industries with
current and future skills needs in the Murray RDA
region.
Support TTC open days and SbAT forums that
promote SbATs to students, parents and employers.
Collaborate with NSW DEC, State Training Services
NSW, group training organisations, Australian
Apprenticeships Centres, School Business
Community Partnership Brokers and Industry Skills
Councils (ISCs) to explore the feasibility of an
industry-based ‘Adopt a School’ mentoring-style
program that links local industry and business with
a local school to encourage best practice in VET
delivery and strengthen relationships with
employers through the mentoring of students and
teachers.
Participate in regional careers advisory network
meetings and programs.
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Australian
Apprenticeships
Centres
Business chambers
DEC (NSW)
Industry Training
Centres
ISCs
Local council
Men’s Sheds
RTOs
School Business
Community
Partnership Brokers
Schools
State Training Services
(NSW)
TAFE NSW
Tertiary providers
VEiS Advisory Board
Youth Connections
providers
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Australian
Apprenticeship
Advisory and
Mentoring program
Indigenous Youth
Career Pathways
School Business
Community
Partnership Brokers
SbATs
TTCs in Schools
TVET
Youth Connections
Goals:
Increase parent, community and industry engagement with schools and other
educational providers.
Increase Aboriginal student engagement in education and training through
supported partnerships between schools, families and communities.
Theme(s):
School education; Jobs, skills and workforce development.
Strategies
Stakeholders
Programs
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Support and add value to existing Department of
Education and Communities, Aboriginal Education
Consultative Groups (AECG), School Business
Community Partnership Brokers and Youth
Connections programs, projects and partnerships
that increase parental engagement and
participation with education and training providers.
Engage and provide support to local AECGs to
provide information to Aboriginal communities on
the roll out of key government programs and
funding relating to education, training and
employment.
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AECGs
Department of
Education and
Communities (NSW)
Local councils
School Business
Community
Partnership Brokers
TAFE NSW
Tertiary providers
Youth Connections
providers
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Parental and
Community
Engagement
School Business
Community
Partnership Brokers
Youth Connections
Issue 5
Level of literacy and numeracy skills is becoming an increasing
barrier to obtaining employment and meeting the labour needs
of employers.
Goal:
Increased levels of literacy and numeracy within schools, the workforce and
across the broader community.
Theme(s):
School education; Tertiary education and training; Jobs, skills and workforce
development.
Strategies
Stakeholders
Programs
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Engage and collaborate with School Business
Community Partnership Brokers, NSW Department
of Education and Communities (DEC), Department
of Families, Housing, Community Services and
Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA), Families NSW and
local councils to implement and market emergent
reading programs such as the Smith Family’s ‘Let’s
Read’.
Support and add value to existing programs,
projects and partnerships that develop awareness
of industry maths and literacy skills such as the
School Business Community Partnership Brokers
’Maths Factory Challenge’ in Corowa.
Promote the Skills for Education and Employment
(SEE) Program, formerly known as Language,
Literacy and Numeracy Program, and Workplace
English Language and Literacy (WELL) Program to
industry as a means of skilling their workforce.
Encourage those delivering SEE training to
contextualise training around qualifications or areas
of interest to participants.
Collaborate with Riverina Institute of TAFE (RI TAFE)
and NSW DEC in 2013 to engage, train and support
school based VET teachers and Careers Advisors in
the National Foundation Skills Training Package and
the Australian Core Skills Framework.
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Anglicare
Association of
Independent Schools
of NSW
Catholic Schools
Office
DEC (NSW)
Department of
Human Services
Department of
Industry, Innovation,
Climate Change,
Science, Research and
Tertiary Education
Disability Employment
Services (DES)
providers
FaHCSIA
Families NSW
Industry peak bodies
and individual
enterprises
Job Services Australia
(JSA) providers
Non-government
organisations
Registered training
organisations
School Business
Community
Partnership Brokers
Schools
State Training Services
(NSW)
TAFE NSW
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Australian Core Skills
Framework
DES
JSA
Let’s Read
School Business
Community
Partnership Brokers
SEE
WELL
Issue 6
Challenging labour market with high youth and Aboriginal
unemployment, skill shortage areas and an ageing workforce.
Goals:
Increased opportunity and access to training and employment for groups
experiencing social disadvantage, including Aboriginal Australians, people from
culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those with disability, older
workers and youth.
Link skills shortages with training pathways to address current and future regional
skills shortages.
Theme(s):
School education; Tertiary education and training; Jobs, skills and workforce
development.
Strategies
Stakeholders
Programs
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Prioritise and support projects that can
demonstrate the creation of new jobs in the Murray
RDA region and will help to build a diverse, multiskilled workforce.
Work with the Work Skills Steering Committee to
develop a project that increases women’s training
and employment opportunities within nontraditional roles.
Collaborate with Work Skills steering committee
and advisory group to identify cross border and
seasonal employment challenges and needs, and
promote local training and employment activities
that meet these challenges.
Engage with the Albury Community Working Party,
Aboriginal Affairs and government stakeholders to
support the implementation of the education,
training and employment actions of the Closing the
Gap Action Plan through the access of broad
funding sources.
Continue to engage in, promote and support local
business breakfasts and forums that provide
training, networking and information-sharing
opportunities for local business and industry.
Link Indigenous Employment Program (IEP) projects
in the Murray RDA region with Skills for Education
and Employment (SEE) formerly known as
Language, Literacy and Numeracy Program, and
Workplace English Language and Literacy (WELL)
Program to support training and employment
outcomes.
Promote the workforce development strategies
from the Murray Campaspe Community Services
forum to regional networks and stakeholders to
foster support for working groups.
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Albury Community
Working Party
Business chambers
Business Enterprise
Centre
Centacare
Charles Sturt
University
Department of
Education and
Communities (NSW)
Disability Employment
Services (DES)
providers
Isolated Children’s
Parents Association
Job Services Australia
(JSA) providers
Multicultural council
Non-government
organisations
RDA Murray
School Business
Community
Partnership Brokers
Schools
Vinnies
Volunteer
associations
Work Skills Steering
Committee
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Accelerated
Australian
Apprenticeships
Australian
Apprenticeships
Advisers Program
Australian
Apprenticeships
Mentoring Program
DES
Indigenous
Employment Program
Investing in
experience (Skills
recognition and
training)
JSA
National Workforce
Development Fund
School Business
Community
Partnership Brokers
SEE
WELL
Youth Connections
Goal:
Increase opportunities to study and work locally to meet current and future
needs of the Murray labour market.
Theme(s):
School education; Tertiary education and training; Jobs, skills and workforce
development.
Strategies
Stakeholders
Programs
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Meet with universities in the Murray RDA region in
2013 to identify opportunities for providing
expanded services and partnerships to raise tertiary
aspirations and increase uptake of local tertiary
pathways.
Celebrate and share projects that support training
and employment outcomes for disadvantaged
Australians in the Murray RDA region through
networks and good news stories.
Provide information to schools, parents and
communities on assistance for regional students to
participate in tertiary education, and Student
Income Support reforms.
Build community capacity by creating links between
programs and establishing and maintaining
community networks through attendance at interagency meetings.
Identify and link programs and groups to create
localised projects that focus on pathways to
university.
Work with the Balranald Regional Development
Group, to support the development of a workforce
strategy around the proposed Iluka and Bemax
heavy mineral and mineral sand mines.
Facilitate discussions and collaborate with School
Business Community Partnership Brokers,
TAFE NSW and Charles Sturt University to expand
and develop current careers advice models for
post-school and mature-age students.
Support efforts of government, local working
parties and action groups to develop workforce
strategies to engage local communities with
emerging industries such as tourism and the
mineral sands mines in Balranald.
Work collaboratively with RDA Murray and other
stakeholders to maximise opportunities for new
and expanded VET and tertiary courses offered
within the Murray RDA region.
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Charles Sturt
University
Department of
Premier and Cabinet
(NSW)
Disability Employment
Service (DES)
providers
Job Services Australia
(JSA) providers
Local councils
RDA Murray
School Business
Community
Partnership Brokers
Schools
State Training Services
(NSW)
TAFE NSW
Tertiary providers
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Commonwealth
Grants Scheme
DES
Education Investment
Fund
Higher Education
Participation and
Partnerships Program
Indigenous
Employment Program
Investing in
experience (Skills
recognition and
training)
JSA
National Workforce
Development Fund
Regional loading
Strategic Skills
Program
Structural Adjustment
Fund
Trade Training
Centres in Schools
VET National Support
Program
Goal:
Increase use of technology in flexible delivery of training and provision of support
services.
Theme(s):
School education; Tertiary education and training; Jobs, skills and workforce
development.
Strategies
Stakeholders
Programs
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Keep a watching brief on the development of a
regional National Broadband Network (NBN)
strategy to highlight and plan for employment
opportunities.
Assist the RDA Murray and other partners to
identify existing facilities and technologies that may
be utilised to provide training and support services.
Collaborate with tertiary providers, TAFE NSW and
the NSW Department of Education and
Communities (DEC) to foster the use of
interchangeable technologies within teaching
pedagogies, within the teaching curriculum and to
increase the capacity of student support services
and early intervention specialist services (e.g.
speech, psychology, occupational therapy) at all
levels of education.
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DEC (NSW)
Department of
Families, Housing,
Community Services
and Indigenous Affairs
Local councils
Medicare local
Murrumbidgee and
Far West local health
districts
RDA Murray
School Business
Community
Partnership Brokers
TAFE NSW
Tertiary providers
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Indigenous
Employment Program
NBN-Enabled
Education and Skills
Services
Parental and
Community
Engagement
Workplace English
Language and Literacy
Issue 7
Workforce development to meet socioeconomic impacts on
regional areas due to proposed legislative water reforms
through the Murray–Darling Basin reform.
Goal:
Help to maintain the sustainability of affected communities and identify
economic diversification strategies.
Theme(s):
Tertiary education and training; Jobs, skills and workforce development.
Strategies
Stakeholders
Programs
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Maintain ongoing communication with RDA Murray
and the Murray–Darling Basin Authority around the
Murray Darling Basin Plan consultative process and
findings.
Support RDA Murray on relevant projects
developed as a result of the regional economic
diversification project.
Implement place-based initiatives in affected
communities designed to re-skill workers impacted
by reduced water allocations.
Help affected stakeholders to access funding,
programs and initiatives to assist with the transition
to new ways of working.
Collaborate with Job Services Australia (JSA) and
Disability Employment Service (DES) providers,
training organisations and industry to identify and
implement training strategies to re-train workers
affected by the water reforms.
Promote and support projects to develop
innovative and diversified farming practices and
sustainable water usage (e.g. RI TAFE ‘Turn Your
Place Green’ trailer and Murray Valley Industry Park
in Deniliquin).
Continue to support RDA Murray Deniliquin
Innovation Expo in 2013.
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Business chambers
Department of
Education and
Communities (NSW)
Department of
Premier and Cabinet
(NSW)
Department of
Primary Industries
(NSW)
Department of
Regional Australia,
Local Government,
Arts and Sport
DES providers
Employers and
industry groups
Indigenous
Employment Program
(IEP) panel members
JSA providers
Local councils
Murray Darling Basin
Authority
RDA Murray
Registered training
organisations
Riverina and Murray
Regional Organisation
of Councils
Riverina Eastern
Regional Organisation
of Councils
Tertiary providers
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DES
IEP
JSA
National Workforce
Development Fund
VET National Support
Program
APPENDICES
Appendix A — Stakeholders
Below is a list of organisations consulted during the development of this RESJ Plan, listed by sector.
Sector
Stakeholder
Local government
Balranald Shire Council; Berrigan Shire Council; Murray Shire Council; Deniliquin
Shire Council; Riverina Eastern Regional Organisation of Councils (REROC);
Riverina and Murray Regional Organisation of Councils (RAMROC).
State government
Department of Premier and Cabinet; Department of Education and
Communities; State Training Services (Department of Education and
Communities); Department of Family and Community Services (Housing NSW);
Office of Communities, Aboriginal Affairs NSW.
Australian Government
Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs;
Murray–Darling Basin Authority; Department of Human Services (Centrelink).
Early Childhood Education
and Care
Education
Vocational Education and
Training
Higher education
Balranald Early Learning Centre; Koori Kindermanna Preschool.
Catholic Schools Office; Barham High School.
Riverina Institute of TAFE; Riverina Community College.
Charles Sturt University; Research Institute for Professional Practice, Learning
and Education; Canberra University.
Youth
School Business Community Partnership Brokers – MICEEP.
Youth Connections provider – Vinnies Services.
Employment
NSW Business Chamber; Work Solutions; Skilled; Ostara Australia.
Indigenous organisations
Yarkuwa Indigenous Knowledge Centre; Woomera Aboriginal Corporation –
Albury; Balranald Local Aboriginal Land Council.
Regional development
Regional Development Australia Murray (Albury and Deniliquin offices).
Community
Balranald Inc, Community for Echuca Moama (C4EM).
Regional Education, Skills and Jobs Plan – Murray 35
www.deewr.gov.au/resj
Appendix B — Existing related plans and strategies
This section includes some of the related strategic plans in the region which have:

influenced the direction of this RESJ Plan

have complementary goals and strategies and/or

have significance in the region in relation to education, skills and jobs.
It provides an overview of how each strategy or plan has had an impact on this RESJ Plan and how it may
be utilised to maximise outcomes.
How it can be
used/linked/expanded
Plan or strategy
Impact on RESJ Plan
Murray RDA regional Plan 2010–
2015
The RDA Regional Plan identifies
eight key priorities: industry
futures; a smart future;
foundations for growth;
maintaining balance; sustaining
communities; health and
wellbeing; linking the region; and
providing leadership.
The RDA Regional Plan highlights
current opportunities, challenges
and significant regional projects for
the region.
Aboriginal Affairs NSW Regional
Reports 2009 Riverina/Murray
This report analyses school
engagement, employment
participation, unemployment and
levels of socioeconomic
disadvantage among Aboriginal
people in the region.
This Report reports on research
and identifies trends to inform
strategic decision making and
educate stakeholders and
communities on the status of
Aboriginal people in the Murray
region.
Local Government Strategic Plans
All local governments within the
region have strategic plans that
cover community and economic
development.
Goals in this RESJ Plan support
these strategies.
NSW 2021
NSW 2021 encompasses 32 goals
and 180 targets. The education
goals and targets include
improving education and learning
outcomes for all students.
The document outlines a 10-year
plan to rebuild the New South
Wales economy, targeting
transport, health, family and
community services, education,
police and justice.
Western NSW Region Schoolbased Apprenticeships and
Traineeships Action Plan
Strategies in this RESJ Plan align
with the action plan to ensure
collaborative relationships to
achieve the goal of increasing the
uptake of School-based
Apprenticeships and Traineeships
(SbATs) in the region.
The plan analyses the region’s
situation in terms of SbAT uptake
and identifies barriers to successful
completion.
Regional Education, Skills and Jobs Plan – Murray 36
www.deewr.gov.au/resj
How it can be
used/linked/expanded
Plan or strategy
Impact on RESJ Plan
Murray – Lower Darling Regional
Action Plan (RAP)
The Murray-Lower Darling RAP
identifies 5 community local
priorities and associated actions
which will support the social and
economic growth of the region as
follows: Support economic growth
within the region; Engaging with
families and young people to
improve education outcomes and
increase community; participation
and employment opportunities;
Integrate and improve human
service delivery; Identify and
resolve Victoria/NSW cross border
issues; Improve regional
infrastructure.
The Murray-Lower Darling RAP
identifies the immediate actions
the NSW Government can take to
deliver on community priorities,
increase opportunities and
improve the quality of life and will
be aligned to NSW 2021, guiding
policy and budget decision-making.
NSW Industry and Investment
State Plan: Supporting Business
and Jobs: Murray Region –
Regional Business Growth Plan,
August 2010
This document outlines regional
opportunities and challenges,
including high-priority, high-impact
activities, major infrastructure
works and irrigation management
practices.
The high-priority, high-impact
activities include eight strategies
around supporting business and
jobs within the region, considering
initiatives, impacts and resources.
Strategies in this RESJ Plan align
with the NSW Industry and
Investment strategies.
ABBREVIATIONS
Abbreviation
Full Term
AECGs
Aboriginal Education Consultative Groups
AEDI
Australian Early Development Index
C4EM
Committee for Echuca Moama
DEC
Department of Education and Communities (NSW)
DEEWR
Department of Education Employment and Workplace Relations
DES
Disability Employment Services
ECEC
Early childhood education and care
FaHCSIA
Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
IEP
Indigenous Employment Program
ISC
Industry Skills Council
JSA
Job Services Australia
LGA
Local Government Area
MICEEP
Murray Industry and Community Education Employment Partnership
NAPLAN
National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy
PaCE
Parental and Community Engagement
RAP
Regional Action Plan
RDA
Regional Development Australia
RESJ
Regional Education Skills and Jobs
RI TAFE
Riverina Institute of TAFE
SbATs
School-based Apprenticeships and Traineeships
SEE
Skills for Education and Employment
TTC
Trade Training Centre
TVET
TAFE-delivered vocational education and training
VEiS
Vocational Education in Schools
VET
Vocational education and training
WELL
Workplace English Language and Literacy
Regional Education, Skills and Jobs Plan – Murray 38
www.deewr.gov.au/resj