Local Government Industry Reference Committee

The Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) are reviewing Industry Reference Committees to ensure the structure and membership of each Committee provides the best possible industry coverage and expertise to support training package development. For more information about the review process please refer to the IRC review page.

Nominations for the Local Government IRC were open until 30 January 2017.

The Local Government IRC is responsible for all components of the LGA – Local Government Training Package. The following sub-sectors within the Local Government training package that may be impacted by the review and development are:

Membership of the Industry Reference Committee should provide the expertise and influence required to develop and maintain relevant components of the Local Government Training Package; as well as provide advice on emerging trends and skills requirements now and into the future.

While it may not be possible to include every nominee as an IRC representative it is important to remember that the Skills Service Organisation and IRC will consult widely during the Training Package development process. The IRC will also and be supported by Technical Advisory Committee members who may be consulted on technical and related specific industry information on an as-needs basis, to support the decision-making of the committee.

Further information about the role of IRCs and how they will operate can be found in the IRC Operating Framework.

IRC Structure - Feedback

The draft structure for the Local Government IRC was published on this website on 10 November 2016, providing an opportunity for industry to comment on whether the structure would adequately represent the industry. The AISC welcomed the comments received from a range of stakeholders.

There was a view that local government is more geographically diverse than just regional and metropolitan employers, and as such, the structure has been modified to potentially include rural and remote employers.

Others identified that the structure does not allow for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs). The structure does not include a specific position allocated to an RTO, however RTOs can be called upon when establishing a Technical Advisory Committee.

Feedback was also received stating that although the Northern Territory has a small workforce, there is a significant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander local government workforce and this should be represented. The structure remains unchanged although the IRC is expected to consult widely to ensure meaningful pathways and employment opportunities for indigenous Australians.

Some stakeholders were of the view that the structure of the IRC should remain unchanged and were opposed to the revised IRC composition. These views were taken into consideration, and the AISC will be provided with advice on comments received from stakeholders, including the dissenting views, to inform their final decision about the structure and membership.