South Australia Works in the Regions program helps regional organisations and networks to identify their region's training and employment needs, and to address them in ways appropriate to each region.

South Australia Works operates in the regions through the 13 Regional Development Boards, North East Development Agency Inc, Northern Futures Inc. City of Onkaparinga, and Western Futures - Futures Connect Inc in partnership with 17 Employment and Skills Formation Networks. These Networks are responsible for coordinating local employment and skills formation planning and delivery, and consist of people from business and industry, regional economic bodies, Commonwealth, State and Local Government, employment and training providers, non government and community organisations.

Employment and Skills Formation Networks facilitate a collaborative, coordinated and targeted approach to learning, training and employment issues at the regional level and have been established to:

• Consult with the local community on employment and skills formation issues
• Develop partnerships which ensure that all the expertise and resources available in the region are used
• Develop regional Employment and Skills Formation Plans that address the local training and employment needs of individuals and industry
• Respond effectively and quickly to changes in local conditions

ESF Strategic Plan 2006-2009 MS Word Document

SA Works Project Schedule 08-09

Barossa Workforce Development Network

The WDN meets bi-monthly to discuss and identify current and emerging employment and training issues in the region. The WDN builds relationships and partnerships between members which strengthens the capacity of the region to attract extra funding and resources into the region and to leverage for maximum resourcing and minimum duplication. Through community consultation and analysis of the regions labour market the Network develops Strategic and Implementation Plans for the region. This is a vital local consultative group and the continual information sharing and gathering at the network meetings is invaluable for the development and implementation of the plans.

Industry and community groups are well presented on the WDN. The memberships includes Department of Education and Children's Services, Centrelink, local government representatives, community organisations, employment service providers, aged care facilities, engineering industry, retailers, hospitality providers and the wine industry representatives. Engagement with many other local industries is made through the link with BLD's business networks and the links that project subcontractors have with industry.

Participation in the Network is open to all members of the community who have a commitment to advancing local employment and skill formation issues in the region.

Registration - Workforce Development Network