Enriching the Regional Workforce with Quality Training Opportunities
The labour market in regional South Australia is reaping the rewards of investing in the professional development of local people.
Uni Hub Spencer Gulf is partnering with the University of Adelaide to deliver Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) courses to employees from local businesses, upskilling the local workforce to embrace opportunities and plug the labour gap.
Uni Hub Spencer Gulf is a not-for-profit, community-owned tertiary education facility that brings educational opportunities to people in the Spencer Gulf region.
In the past two years, more than 110 residents of Port Pirie and Roxby Downs, from approximately 20 different businesses, have participated in the PACE courses run at the Uni Hub.
Lynn Wallace, Engineering and Industry Engagement at Uni Hub Spencer Gulf said the PACE courses From Team Member to Team Leader and Introduction to Project Management have received an overwhelming response from the community, with local businesses jumping at the opportunity to develop their employees’ skills without the need to travel to Adelaide.
“The fact that University of Adelaide facilitators come to us in the region is absolutely brilliant,” Lynn said.
“Sending an employee to the city for training or professional development incurs additional travel and accommodation expenses, presents safety concerns for a long drive, and ultimately can mean a short term loss of productivity for a local business, due to the extra travel time either side of the actual training itself.
“Having such high calibre, face to face training and education right here on our doorstep is a game changer.
“The PACE courses are one day in duration, short, sharp and succinct, and participants report that they walk away with practical, tangible skills they can literally put into practice the next day.”
Uni Hub works closely with the local business community to understand what skills are most needed and delivers PACE courses that best fit their staff development goals.
“Businesses are thrilled to invest in the development of their own workforce by enrolling them in courses that are so highly regarded within the continuing education sector,” Lynn said.
“Participants leave with a University of Adelaide certificate, which is something to be very proud of.
“The PACE facilitators are just wonderful. The lectures are fantastic and learning in a group of people from across the local business community means participants are also growing their networks and really engaging in the local business landscape.
“We are really proud that we’re providing life changing opportunities to our local people and supporting our local economy.”
Sally Jones, General Manager of PACE at the University of Adelaide, said Uni Hub was an excellent example of regional business communities embracing the opportunity to develop local talent and keep skilled people in regional areas.
“We’re looking forward to partnering with more regional service providers, businesses and economic development agencies to deliver PACE courses in regional centres across South Australia,” she said.
Contact us today to find out more about running PACE programs and courses in regional South Australia.