Media release – Jeremy Rockliff, Minister for Community Services and Development, 6 September 2021
TasCOSS Industry Plan released
The importance of keeping communities connected, engaged, and supported, is now more vital than ever.
To support the sector, so that they can support Tasmanians who access these vital services, we have been working with TasCOSS to deliver Tasmania’s first Community Sector Industry Plan.
Today, we are launching this plan, supported by our 2021 Budget funding commitment of $3.265 million to TasCOSS over three years, to support Tasmania’s community services sector as one of the state’s major employers, and help meet industry projections of an additional 4,000 jobs by 2024.
This is a long-term plan over 10 years, with actions to be developed and managed by a working group of government and non-government representatives, to ensure it delivers strong outcomes for this vital sector.
The Community Sector Industry Plan 2021-2031 provides a further opportunity to continue this strong working relationship with TasCOSS to deliver a stronger Community Services Industry into the future, to drive local jobs in local communities and address barriers to employment.
The Community Sector Industry Plan 2021-2031 is available online at https://communities.tas.gov.au/disability/projects/community-services-industry-plan-2021-2031
Media release – TasCOSS, 7 September 2021
Landmark Industry Plan maps path forward for community services in Tasmania
In an important milestone, The Tasmanian Government and the community services industry have released a ten-year Community Services Industry Plan (2021-2031) to guide industry development, recruit and train our growing workforce and to futureproof the delivery of much-needed services to Tasmanians in need.
TasCOSS CEO Ms Adrienne Picone said the Industry Plan was immensely significant as it provided a clear, coherent vision — shared by peak bodies, community service organisations and the Tasmanian Government — for the next decade.
“We are very pleased to see the important role the community services industry plays in Tasmania recognised and funded,” Ms Picone said.
“Community services organisations and the services they provide support thousands of Tasmanians to lead more stable, healthy lives.
“Our services have never been more important than right now and the Industry Plan reflects a shared commitment to supporting Tasmanians in every community across the state and building-back a stronger, more equitable society.
“Community services is one of the largest and fastest growing industries in Tasmania, employing more than 17,800 local workers statewide in roles ranging from education and childcare, home care and allied health workers, to strategic project managers and experienced CEOs. The industry is also supported by a workforce of around 35,000 volunteers.
“The economic value added by the community services industry in Tasmania is $1.9 billion each year and for every million dollars spent in the industry 17 jobs are generated.” [1][2]
Ms Picone said the need to grow the community services workforce was clear with demand for community services increasing significantly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and with the full effects yet to be felt.
“The community services industry requires 4,000 new jobs by 2024 to keep pace with demand,” she said. [3]
“To this end, we were pleased to see $3.3 million in funding over three-years to address this skills shortage in the budget, which will form the first stage of the Industry Plan implementation.”
Three strategic pillars underpin the achievement of the vision set out in the Industry Plan, namely; Partnerships, Sustainability and Innovation.
TasCOSS would like to commend the hard work and dedication of the Community Services Industry Plan Steering Committee in bringing the plan to fruition.
