[Australia] Government will establish statutory body to address ‘urgent’ skills crisis

In Australia, the government has introduced legislation to establish Jobs and Skills Australia, a new statutory body to provide independent advice on current, emerging, and future workforce, skills, and training needs, SIA reports.

It is the first piece of legislation introduced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the new Labour government. The legislation will establish Jobs and Skills Australia, a new independent agency responsible for providing advice to the government to underpin Australia’s response to current, emerging and future labour market and workforce skills and training needs and to improve employment opportunities and economic growth.

Jobs and Skills Australia will reportedly build on the work started by the National Skills Commission and will work closely with state and territory governments, industry, employers, trade unions and training providers to ensure a shared understanding of the critical issues facing Australia’s labour market.

Minister for Skills and Training, Brendan O’Connor MP, said it is a critical priority of the new government.

“As a nation, we are experiencing skills and labour shortages across industries that are vital to the health and wellbeing of Australians and our economy,” he said. “Establishing an interim Jobs and Skills Australia Director will enable its critical work to commence quickly, while extensive consultation on the ongoing functions and structure of Jobs and Skills Australia occurs.”

Jobs and Skills Australia will have a tripartite approach with state and territory governments, industry, employers, unions and training providers, and promote a training system aimed at meeting the needs of employees, employers and the economy.

“The Albanese Government has wasted no time and introducing Jobs and Skills Australia will make a real difference. It is a step towards addressing the nation’s skills crisis, contributing to productivity improvements, economic growth and creating more secure and better employment opportunities for Australian workers,” Mr O’Connor said.

The new body will replace the National Skills Commission, which the former Coalition government launched in mid-2020. Adam Boyton was appointed as National Skills Commissioner in October 2020 on a five-year contract however this will now be scrapped, according to InnovationAus.com.

Source: SIA

(Link and quotes via original reporting)

In Australia, the government has introduced legislation to establish Jobs and Skills Australia, a new statutory body to provide independent advice on current, emerging, and future workforce, skills, and training needs, SIA reports.

It is the first piece of legislation introduced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the new Labour government. The legislation will establish Jobs and Skills Australia, a new independent agency responsible for providing advice to the government to underpin Australia’s response to current, emerging and future labour market and workforce skills and training needs and to improve employment opportunities and economic growth.

Jobs and Skills Australia will reportedly build on the work started by the National Skills Commission and will work closely with state and territory governments, industry, employers, trade unions and training providers to ensure a shared understanding of the critical issues facing Australia’s labour market.

Minister for Skills and Training, Brendan O’Connor MP, said it is a critical priority of the new government.

“As a nation, we are experiencing skills and labour shortages across industries that are vital to the health and wellbeing of Australians and our economy,” he said. “Establishing an interim Jobs and Skills Australia Director will enable its critical work to commence quickly, while extensive consultation on the ongoing functions and structure of Jobs and Skills Australia occurs.”

Jobs and Skills Australia will have a tripartite approach with state and territory governments, industry, employers, unions and training providers, and promote a training system aimed at meeting the needs of employees, employers and the economy.

“The Albanese Government has wasted no time and introducing Jobs and Skills Australia will make a real difference. It is a step towards addressing the nation’s skills crisis, contributing to productivity improvements, economic growth and creating more secure and better employment opportunities for Australian workers,” Mr O’Connor said.

The new body will replace the National Skills Commission, which the former Coalition government launched in mid-2020. Adam Boyton was appointed as National Skills Commissioner in October 2020 on a five-year contract however this will now be scrapped, according to InnovationAus.com.

Source: SIA

(Link and quotes via original reporting)