Federal, State and Territory Skills and Training Ministers met virtually today and have agreed that delivering housing supply will be added to the national priorities identified in the National Skills Agreement.
Skills Ministers recognised that focused effort is required to address skills and workforce shortages to deliver National Cabinet’s target to build 1.2 million new homes over five years from 1 July 2024, along with State and Territory housing plans.
Skills and training for planning and construction workforces will be considered and Skills Ministers will liaise closely with Housing and Homelessness Ministers in delivering this work.
Skills Ministers were joined by the Honourable Iain Ross AO and Ms Lisa Paul AO PSM, who are conducting a strategic review of the Australian Apprenticeship Incentive System on behalf of the Albanese Government.
The review will investigate the support available to help more people start and complete apprenticeships and traineeships and will assist the Albanese Government to implement a more effective, sustainable and long-term incentive system.
Skills Ministers also noted progress on a range of measures to strengthen quality and integrity within the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector; including the introduction to Federal Parliament on 7 February of the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Amendment (Strengthening Quality and Integrity in Vocational Education and Training No.1) Bill 2024, development of a VET Workforce Blueprint and early changes to the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) which commenced on 1 March.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Skills and Training, the Hon Brendan O’Connor MP:
“I’d like to thank my State and Territory Skills Minister colleagues for their cooperation and agreement to make housing a national priority under our landmark National Skills Agreement.
“Addressing workforce shortages in planning and construction is critical as we work together to deliver 1.2 million new homes over the next five years.
“Genuine collaboration between the Albanese Labor Government and all States and Territories is essential as we shape a stronger, more dynamic VET sector and respond to skills shortages across the economy.”
