Federal Minister Launches Two New IBSA Products
 | Sharon Coates (IBSA CEO), Minister Kim Carr and John Vines (IBSA Chair) |
Everything new was very much in vogue at the RACV Club, Melbourne, last Tuesday when IBSA launched its new Business Services Training Package (BSB07) and IBSA's Blueprint for Action on Innovation. (click to download)
Guest of honour at the launch was the new federal Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator the Hon. Kim Carr. There is nothing like a new Minister to stimulate interest and IBSA was delighted to have 150 guests from industry, federal and state governments and training providers at the function. It was especially pleasant to see Stella Axarlis AM (the past NQC Chair) and visitors from interstate including James Barron (CEO of Group Training Australia).
Hosted by IBSA Chair, John Vines and IBSA CEO Sharon Coates, the launch provided an opportunity to focus attention on the new Business Services Training Package and the Blueprint for Action on Innovation, the major outcome of a National Search Conference in Melbourne last year.
Sharon Coates acknowledged the great work done by the BSB07 developers Mitch Cleary, Rosalie Flynn and their teams, Anna Henderson, Dr Marcus Bowles, Barbara Goulburn, Nicola Burridge, Wendy Perry, Ian Sandercock, Duane Vickery, Warwick Moore and Geoff Creek.
The new BSB07 was developed in close consultation with industry and training providers and will be the essential tool for all training providers delivering business services programs. Full information on BSB07 can be found elsewhere on this website.
IBSA appreciated the attendance of Minister Kim Carr at the function, particularly so for the evident synergies between the Minister’s portfolio and IBSA’s mission.
In his address, Minister Carr demonstrated an understanding of the role of industry skills councils, and a sensitivity to the pressures and tensions of the past two years of “review”. Minster Carr considered industry skills councils to be in sound condition with great potential to foster national innovative capacity.
The Minister regards innovation as an ongoing process from shop floor to boardroom and the Government’s intention is to foster innovation at every point, with innovation policy integral to every public policy. IBSA’s creativity and credibility was crucial to encouraging innovation and the Minister invited IBSA and the sector generally to contribute to the recently announced national review on innovation.
In the Minister’s view, innovation is the main driver of competitiveness and economic and social development. He considered the new BSB07 complemented these objectives and commented particularly on the new qualifications for small and micro business, for management and the International Education export industry.
Minister Carr reiterated the new Government’s commitment to education and skills training as the means for fostering a climate for innovation. The Government has committed $1 billion over four years to create 450,000 training places, rising to 820,000 over the next decade, at a funding commitment of $2.5 billion.
Tuesday’s function was a great start to the IBSA year and, if the level of interest and impressive attendance is any indication, then skills training and IBSA stakeholders are in for a good year.
Thanks to the IBSA team for their enthusiasm and hard work in organising such a successful function. The IBSA Board appreciates your hard work.
