South Australia’s economy is growing strongly; we have now attracted major new investment to our State.  This new investment adds to our challenge to retain and upgrade the skills of our existing workers, replace the baby boomers as they retire, and develop and attract new skilled workers for future development. 

The State Government through its Workforce Development Strategy, Better Skills, Better Work, Better State aims to create a highly skilled economy to enable South Australia to develop its competitive advantage and provide quality jobs.  In doing so, the focus will be a skilled workforce; by ensuring workers have relevant skills to meet industry needs.

The South Australian Government will continue to attract working age migrants to address skill and labour shortages, particularly in regions.  A number of key strategies have been implemented.  One of these aims to increase the States population and strengthen the skills base of our workforce by increasing the number of skilled migrants settling in South Australia and supporting existing South Australians gain recognition of their skills and experience.

Recognition of overseas qualifications is critical to enabling skilled migrants to fill local skill shortages.  New recognition processes and system improvements such as better information and streamlined processes will be developed to ensure the skills and experience of overseas trained workers is harnessed to meet industry needs.  Equally, existing workers will be supported to develop high order skills in targeted areas. 

In March 2005 the Training and Skills Commission in South Australia, approved guidelines for the recognition of skills and qualifications gained by persons who have not gained qualifications under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) process.  These guidelines offer a solution to the dilemma many Australians and newly arrived skilled migrants experience in having their valuable skills and experience recognised and utilised within this state. 

Skills Recognition Services are part of the State Government Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology.