THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT recently launched a national skills shortages strategy in order to tackle disincentives which can turn young people away from choosing trades as a career
THE FEDERAL Government has launched a national skills shortages strategy in order to tackle the growing number of young people turning away from a career in the trades.
Under the new strategy, there will be greater flexibility in traditional trade training. New approaches to apprenticeships in key skill shortage industries will be tested, such as shorter apprenticeships in the building and construction, automotive retail service and repair industries, as well as specialised apprenticeship pathways in the housing sector of the building and construction industry.
In addition to working in partnership with key industries such as engineering, energy and utilities, skill shortages on a regional basis will be addressed. Local communities are facing skill shortages as a result of the introduction of new industries, or the departure of existing ones, resulting in the need for communities to reinvent themselves through training, education and employment, according to Brendan Nelson, Minister for Education, Science and Training.
Industries will be encouraged and assisted to ‘adopt a school’, in which they will regularly meet with school students and their careers advisers and teachers to broaden their understanding of trade industries, he said.
Through fast-tracked training programs involving people with relevant existing skills, mature-age workers, parents returning to work, and people looking for a career change will be especially targeted towards new apprenticeships.
Minister Nelson said the government recognises the importance to Australian industry of having a workforce with the right skills to ensure continued competitiveness, and the government will also review the quality and usefulness of labour market forecasting, with a database to be used for the development of industry-specific skills policy.
Heather Ridout, chief executive of the Australian Industry Group, said the strategy was a strong and welcome contribution towards addressing an issue that is rapidly becoming of critical economic concern for Australian industry.
Peter Hendy, chief executive of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the lack of suitably qualified staff has become one of the most significant issues of concern to business over the past 10 years.
