Agenda 1

Education and Skills

We need to equip our people for jobs in the new economy, raise education levels and choices, improve access to education, increase school retention rates, grow the number of tertiary graduates, expand private school offerings, increase Internet and computer usage, deliver high speed broadband and foster lifelong learning.

Raising education and skill levels:

• Is vital to enable access to new higher paying jobs.
• Will increase peoples’ sense of purpose and self worth, reduce poverty, crime and social dysfunction.
• Will equip people to look after themselves better and adopt healthier lifestyles, reducing dependence on welfare, health and community support services, with less cost to government.
• Raises appreciation of arts and culture and encourages growth in these industry sectors.
• Raises appreciation of environmental issues, leading to greater motivation to improve the environment, which in turn improves the sense of pride and the region’s attractiveness for investment.

Accordingly, from 2008 to 2011, LeadWest and its members will advocate for and facilitate implementation of the following priority actions:

1. A concerted effort will be made to raise education and skill levels in the region, increase school retention rates and reduce the need to import skills.
2. Installation of high-speed broadband infrastructure.
3. Improve public transport to increase student access to education facilities.
4. Review planning provisions to assist the establishment and upgrading of school campuses and facilities.

In 2009, LeadWest hosted a Western Region Education and Skills Forum to bring  focus to ways in which industry leaders, employers, employees, educators and the community can work together to heighten the level of education and skills in the western region.

If you would like to discuss the Education and Skills Agenda with LeadWest, please contact us.