Industry has welcomed the announcement today by the Federal and South Australian governments of a 12-month Skills Agreement to address the current skills shortage and deliver Fee-Free TAFE and more vocational education places for South Australians.
The agreement comes at a critical time, with trades and technicians identified as one of the major gaps for businesses in South Australia in a national Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) survey released this week.
"When it comes to the answers, all roads lead to education and training – skilling, re-skilling and upskilling – at scale,” Ai Group SA State Head Jodie van Deventer said today.
"We need to start rebuilding our workforce at home as a matter of urgency. It is a huge national challenge and these extra 12,500 fee-free VET courses will help build the ongoing pipeline of workers that businesses require.
“There remains much work to be done and we urge the Federal and State governments to remain focussed on areas where there is an entrenched shortage of skilled workers,” Ms van Deventer said.
Ai Group’s survey showed 69% of businesses said their skills needs had increased in relation to Technicians and Trades Workers, 45% in relation to Professionals, 43% for Managers, 38% for Machinery Operators and Drivers and 37% for Labourers.
Further comment
Jodie van Deventer – 0427 408 588
