Today, Libby Coker, the Member for Corangamite visited The Gordon TAFE, as part of National Skills Week.
Now in its twelfth year, National Skills Week highlights the diversity, career pathways, and success stories that emanate from the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector, while also bringing focus to emerging skills needs, and industry trends.
A lack of skilled workers is one of the biggest economic challenges facing Australia.
The Member for Corangamite says National Skills Week is the perfect opportunity to highlight the benefits of Australia’s VET system.
“After a decade of inaction, Australia is now facing a skills shortage crisis. The Albanese Labor Government is acting quickly to bring together employers, unions, education providers, civil society and governments at the Jobs and Skills Summit in September to build a shared ambition for economic growth based on secure and skilled work,” Libby Coker said.
“I want to ensure our region prospers and that local people have access to the training they need so we can fill the gaps in our local workforce.”
“A skilled workforce is a productive workforce, and a more productive workforce means a stronger economy and cheaper goods and services. That is why we are working to build a bigger, better trained and more skilled workforce.”
Minister for Skills and Training, Brendan O’Connor MP, says the Albanese Labor Government is committed to strengthening the VET sector and investing in VET to boost economic growth, sustainability, and resilience.
“Australia’s VET system is uniquely positioned to support economic growth and allow workers to access secure jobs and to achieve their aspirations,” Minister O’Connor said.
Ms Coker says vocational learning will become even more important in the coming years.
“Projections are that nine out of every ten new jobs over the next five years will need a post-school qualification. It is imperative we have a skill development system that can rise to those challenges,” she said.
This year’s National Skills Week theme is A Universe of Skills: Go Beyond Your Imagination.
Australians are being encouraged to discover careers, pathways and opportunities in skills and Vocational Education that they may not know about, have thought about or even imagined. Particularly careers in emerging industries and areas of new technology.
For more information about National Skills Week visit www.nationalskillsweek.com.au
