Connecting more people to work and their community requires removing barriers to participation, the retention of older workers and engaging those who are marginally attached to the labour market (i.e. people who have the potential for greater participation).
Increasing Participation in Work and Community is the broadest and most complex of all the Action Areas.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) indicates that around 5% (24,000) Tasmanians are not participating, but have the potential to participate in the labour market. June 2008 ABS data shows Tasmania's participation rate (seasonally adjusted) is almost four percentage points lower than the Australian average. (10)
Factors affecting increased participation may include, but are not limited to:
- access to affordable child care;
- access to affordable transport;
- access to affordable housing in proximity to employment;
- understanding the complexities of why people aren't participating (or under participating or underemployed);
- supporting people returning to the workforce after an absence;
- increasing the attractiveness of workplaces including work arrangements that accommodate individual needs;
- skills gap training and qualifications for existing and returning workers;
- retaining older workers and accommodating things such as phased in retirement;
- increasing mentoring opportunities; and
- supporting volunteering opportunities that link to paid employment.
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Actions such as the Department of Economic Development and Tourism's Workforce Participation Program and the Community Knowledge Network's Learning and Information Network Centre (LINC) project specifically target greater participation and access to services that promote active participation in work and community.
The Learning and Information Network Centre is at present, operating at Huonville but there are plans for LINCs to extend across Tasmania. The LINC brings together a number of government and community organisations such as the Library and Online Access Centre, Centrelink, Service Tasmania and the Magistrates Court under the one roof. Training providers deliver education and training programs, including Year 11 and 12 courses and Vocational Education and Training courses, Adult Literacy and Basic Education and the Language Literacy and Numeracy Program. |
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Tom Muller, CEO TasCOSS
"TasCOSS strongly supports a focus on increasing participation in work and community life through initiatives that address the complexity of reasons that prevent individuals from participating. Models such as the Huon LINC and initiatives that support individuals will strengthen community relationships and provide people with more opportunities to participate in their community." |
(10) Tasmania Together 2020 Goals and Benchmarks
Performance Measures & Targets:
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Increase the per capita voluntary participation in community and service activities in a 12 month period (Tasmania Together)
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| Current (2006): |
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36.3% |
| 2010: |
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40% |
| 2015: |
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43% |
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Increase the workforce participation rate (Tasmania Together)
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| Current (2007): |
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60.2% Tasmania (Australia 65%)
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| 2010: |
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Increase to the national average participation rate |
| 2015: |
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Maintain at the national average participation rate |
Activity in this area:
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Tasmanian Skills Strategy
Increase Participation in Work and Community
