Australia’s 150 group training organisations are in a unique position to work in partnership with government to deliver enhanced workforce capability.
If we are to compete successfully as a nation in the 21st century, we need a highly skilled and flexible workforce that is equipped with the most up-to-date skills and training.
Group training already serves as a uniquely Australian labour market intermediary –linking up to 100,000 employers and 35,000 apprentices and trainees.
This existing network has great potential to be developed into a fully fledged workforce development mechanism, helping to steer employees into skilled training and into skilled employment.
Emerging skills shortages show how quickly we can go from bust-to-boom, and how we can be left struggling without the skilled people to keep the economy moving.
We also need to plan for the next 10-20 years and make sure that the sorts of skills that will sustain the economy into the future are being developed in our TAFEs and other training facilities.
As a nation, one of the most important things for us to do is develop our infrastructure – not just our physical infrastructure such as rail and ports, but our human capital – our people.
We are urging the Government and the Opposition to invest in developing our people so they are able to step up and compete with the fastest growing economies of the Asia Pacific region.
Group training has been one of the most remarkable labour market programs that this country has seen.
Our challenge within this network is to lift our capacity – to enhance our own staff and resources so that we can work in partnership with government to deliver state-of-the-art training, mentoring and support to apprentices, trainees and other employees in skilled trades.
View the complete election statement on the GTA website
Print Page
