As the Conservative Party warned, ahead of last month’s federal election, critical skills shortages are holding back South Australia’s growth with more than one in two jobs advertised in regional South Australia remaining unfilled.
The Advertiser reports, the state’s Industry Minister David Pisoni says since 2013, South Australia has seen a 55 per cent drop in apprenticeships – the biggest decline in Australia.
Last week, Hayes Salary Guide reported 70 per cent of SA employers surveyed said skill shortages would impact on the effective operation of their business.
Mr Pisoni told The Advertiser the consistent feedback the State Government is receiving from employers, particularly in rural and regional areas, is the significant challenge in attracting and retaining many skilled workers.
The Conservative Party has called for a shake up in the approach to regional education.
With TAFE and apprenticeships currently considered ‘second prize’, to a university education, apprentices and those with a trade earn money sooner, and have the opportunity to become successful business people. In stark contrast, many university graduates can’t get a job, and have the added burden of a HELP debt.
