It has been brought to the Australian Furniture Association’s (AFA) attention by the Food, Fibre and Timber Industry (FFTI) Training Council in WA that Polytechnic West intends to cease accepting new apprenticeship commencements in several trades relevant to the furniture industry, effective immediately. Polytechnic West is one of Western Australia’s largest training providers, enrolling over 30,000 students each year in its vocational education and training programs.
The AFA along with Associations representing other affected industries have made representations on behalf of their members to the Hon. Dr Kim Haymes, Minster for Workforce Development in WA.
On 4 February 2014, a delegation of industry representatives, including Carlo Gossati, a member of the AFA’s WA sub-committee, met with Minister Haymes and representatives from the WA Department of Training and Workforce Development. As a result, a follow-up meeting with Polytechnic West, the Department of Premier and Cabinet, the Department of Training and Workforce Development and the FFTI Training Council is to be held on the 25th February with view to addressing the concerns raised with the Minister.The AFA will continue to work closely with the FFTI Training Council and other Associations to seek a positive resolution to this issue for its members and the industry generally.
