Norm Cahill is the Executive Officer of the NSW Utilities & Electrotechnology ITAB. NSW Industry Training Advisory Bodies (ITABs) work with stakeholders to ensure a viable workforce through workforce planning, development, and skills training opportunities. ITABs provide advice to the NSW government and industries on vocational education and training matters, apprenticeships and traineeships, and ensuring training packages meet industry needs. ITABs have a contractual relationship with Training Services NSW to provide an independent voice on skills needs, training, and workforce development issues for the industries each ITAB represents.

1. Norm Cahill
Executive Officer
NSW Utilities & Electrotechnology ITAB

2.  NSW Industry Training Advisory Bodies (ITABs)
are autonomous, industry-based peak bodies
that work with all stakeholders to ensure a
viable workforce through workforce planning,
workforce development and skilling
opportunities

3.  Recognised by Deputy Premier; Minister
for Skills, Minister for Regional New
South Wales, Minister for Small Business
 Funded by NSW Department of Industry,
Training Services NSW

4.  Performance and Funding Agreement, incorporating
Key Performance Activities
 Provide advise to NSW Government & our Industry
on VET matters in NSW, including Smart & Skilled
 Provide advise on the establishment of
Apprenticeships & Traineeships in NSW (VTOs)
 Work with Training Package Developers to ensure
Training Packages meet NSW industry needs

5.  NSW ITABs have a contractual relationship with
Training Services NSW to provide an
independent voice on skill needs, training and
workforce development issues for the industries
each ITAB represents

6.  NSW ITABs have bi-partite boards with a mix of
employer, peak industry and union representation
maintaining their industry relevance and
overseeing governance requirements
 These boards demonstrate a structure and
decision making that is independent from the
training industry
 The boards are skills based with a systematic
process for identifying and recruiting the skills
and capabilities required with a process for
staggering terms to obtain a balance between
stability and renewal

7.  Many ITABs have broader industry advisory
groups or committees ensuring immediate
connection to current practices, issues affecting
workplaces and emerging trends
 These broader advisory groups are usually
represented by industry experts, RTOs and often
industry regulators
 Training Services NSW representatives attend
many of these groups

8.  ITABs underpin the industry training advisory
process, strengthening and stabilising the
relationship between industry and government
by providing advice to inform strategic policy
direction, program development and research

9.  ITABs see ourselves as conduits that allow
information to flow in each direction,
communicating industry’s workforce needs
directly to the NSW Government and relaying
NSW Government policies to our industry
partners to facilitate quality outcomes in
vocational education and training

10.  ITABs undertake a range of activities to identify
our industries’ needs for skill and workforce
development:
• Formal consultation such as focus groups, workshops,
industry sector advisory groups, site visits, web forums
• Conference and industry forum presentations
• Project work with cross industry collaboration and
partnerships
• A number of ITABs also conduct their own conferences
and professional development activities

11. There are eleven NSW ITABs
 Arts, Communications, Finance
Industries & Property Services
 Construction
 Community Services & Health
 Food, Primary Industries &
Racing
 Forestry
 Manufacturing & Engineering
 Public Sector
 Resources & Infrastructure
 Sport & Recreation, Tourism &
Hospitality & Wholesale, Retail
& Personal Services
 Transport & Logistics and
Automotive
 Utilities & Electrotechnology

12.  NSW ITABs are here to help you and your clients
 Many ITABs have access to training resources
 All NSW ITABs can provide information about
Training Packages in our sectors
 NSW ITABs have a wide range of industry
contacts with specialised knowledge
 NSW ITABs can assist you work across industry
sectors
 NSW ITABs can assist with most VET matters