Media Release: Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council welcomes new direction for training package development April, 22, 2015 - Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council (CS&HISC) today welcomed the announcement made by Hon Simon Birmingham, Assistant Minister for Education and Training, that the new model for training package development will place industry consultation front and centre of skills development in Australia. In the new approach, Industry Reference Committees (IRCs) will be responsible for training package development and will be supported by Skills Service Organisations (SSOs) who will provide administrative, technical and operational support. The Australian Industry and Skills Committee will have overall responsibility to endorse qualifications, advise on VET quality instruments and provide industry input into VET research and the ministerial council. Rob Bonner, CS&HISC Chair, said he applauds the government for prioritising the role of industry as the best means for establishing the right skills for job roles. “Industry Reference committees and subject matter expert groups have been integral to our training package development for community services and health. The government’s recognition of this important role will be welcome news for employers who depend of an appropriately skilled workforce to meet the demands of an increasingly competitive marketplace." The new model will enable training package development to be more responsive to industry as the need arises. “We are also pleased that under the new model the Government remains committed to supporting a high quality nationally recognised system. This will ensure that employers will have access to workers with skills that meet industry defined standards,” Mr Bonner said. CS&HISC is committed to working collaboratively with the Department to develop and implement the new model and is looking forward to the roll out of the new system.