The Department of Education and Training (DET) in consultation with Premier's Department has developed a strategy to enhance training and employment opportunities for trainees in the NSW Public Sector. The strategy '2000 by 2000'has two key elements:

• provision of structured training and employee development in entry level positions recruited across the Public Sector
• various employment pathways across a range of vocational areas

The strategy aims to provide full and part time employment opportunities in entry-level positions for all people across the community, particularly for youth.

The strategy offers a number of employment pathways to maximise opportunities for trainees whilst meeting organisational, and workplace needs. Employment options include:

• Agency staff establishment - use of traineeships in association with the permanent recruitment of entry level staff,
• Supernumerary - creation of traineeship positions in excess of existing establishment levels;
• Rural and Regional initiative - agencies may be supported by a wage subsidy in the creation of supernumerary traineeships positions in rural and regional centres;
• Shared arrangements between agencies - options for agencies to share employment and training responsibility where full time traineeships are not possible;
• Group training Services - where agencies are unable to provide the full range of training, supervisory or ongoing employment opportunities;
• School based - employment of school based part time trainees where possible to enhance career pathways for school leavers.

State and Commonwealth incentive funding is available to support training costs and wage subsidies for trainees. It is expected that all agencies will target the recruitment of trainees from identified EEO groups. DET will provide advice and assistance in all major centres across the State on all employment-related aspects of the strategy. DET will issue guidelines & supporting information about the strategy separately. DET staff will contact agencies to discuss their participation.

I strongly encourage your involvement in this innovative program, which will significantly enhance employment and training opportunities at entry level to the public sector. These guidelines are also commended for adoption in State Owned Corporations.

Further enquiries can be directed to DET Industry Training Services Centres as listed in the guidelines to be issued.

Bob Carr
Premier