Northern Futures is a young organisation in terms of its role within the Northern Adelaide Region it was established in 2002 to operate independantly of Government structures for the benefit of the local industry and community members in the region.
Northen Futures is an incorporated, community-based, not for profit organisation which has been the Grantee for the South Australian Government initiative South Australia Works in the Region Funding since 2003 and was successful in securing funding in 2005 to operate as a Local Community Partnership (LCP) for the Northern Adelaide Region.
A key role for Northern Futures is to develop and progress State and Federal Government programs to advance education, training & workforce development in the region and aim to:
- Ensure joint ownership and solutions between State Government, Federal Government, Local Government, Industry and the Community
- Create strong working relationships with local businesses to support and expand established industries
- Assist communities, schools and training providers to work together to improve skill formation and learning outcomes in schools, TAFE and universities with a commitment to improving employment outcomes
The City of Salisbury, the City of Playford and the Town of Gawler are the northern councils who work in collaboration with Northern Futures to offer services. Northern Futures has established relationships with local industry, schools, Registered Training Organisations, Community Groups and Providers of Australian Government Employment Sevices.
Northern Adelaide offers opportunity as it is a key economic, social and environmental region of South Australia with its diverse and talented community, the automotive, defence based advanced manufacturing, applied research industries and the rich resources of the Northern Adelaide plains.
Despite this potential for growth and prosperity, too many Northern residents, families and communities are disadvantaged and experience difficulty in accessing the opportunities available in the North. It is therefore important both to ensure greater investment, employment and opportunity in the north and also to enable Northern residents, their families and communities to enjoy the benefits of development.
Northern Futures has an important role to play in continuing the tradition of the North as a place where people work together across sectors to solve complex problems. This spirit of willing cooperation helps to ensure the best use of available resources and harnesses additional resources for the benefit of the community in the North.
- Continue to identify regional organisations, networks and individuals who are leaders and find ways to tell their stories that build community spirit and pride;
- Continue to explore opportunities for working together across and within the State, Catholic and Independent Schools Sector;
- Develop a basic register of regional networks, plans and programmes to assist in orienting new services to the North;
Northern Futures will continue to work closely with the Councils in the North, the State Government and Federal Governments to encourage agencies and industry to work closely together in a whole-of-region approach: to support optimal economic development, to enable a vibrant and inclusive community and to ensure the sustainable management of natural resources.