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Initiatives address skill shortages TWO reports released by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) show the success of the Australian Government's initiatives to address Australia's skills and labour shortages.The number of Australian Apprentices in training continues to increase, with 414,000 in training as at March 2007. "This represents a massive 168 per cent increase since Labor last held Government in 1996," said The Minister for Vocational and Further Education, Andrew Robb. The Australian Government has funded a range of incentives to help address Australia's skills shortage, and will invest a record $2.9 billion in skills training this year. These incentives include the $2,000 tax-free Apprenticeship Wage Top-Up, a $1,000 fee voucher, an $800 tool kit, a $13,000 wage subsidy for mid-career apprentices and up to $4,000 in incentives for employers of Australian Apprentices. Under the current government, there has been a 365 per cent increase in the number of people completing their apprenticeships. In 1996, 30,920 people completed their apprenticeship, this compares to more than 540,000 over the past four years." Training durations of apprentices have also come down. More than one-quarter (28 per cent) completed their training in two years or less, compared with 18 per cent in 1996. "This report clearly demonstrates the continuing success of the Australian Government's efforts to address the skills and labour shortage, with more people recognising the opportunities that a vocational and technical education can bring." Mr Robb added. "For too long we have talked down the trades," Mr Robb said. "We need to get to the stage that a trade qualification is as valued as a university degree." |
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