Trade IAC a success
policy development
Labor has
united with industry leaders for the fourth Employment, Regional Development
and Trade Industry Advisory Council held in Launceston this week.
The Council is made up of a cross section of representatives
including training organisations, the University of Tasmania, small business,
industry, local government, and regional economic development bodies.
Shadow
Minister for Regional Development and Small Business, Anita Dow, said the
meeting was again a success and provided an opportunity to look closely at
demographic changes across Tasmania, changes in key industry sectors, and the
mismatch between skills and training and current and future employment
opportunities in Tasmania.
“The
contribution from IAC members is informing Labor’s policy development and
providing valuable insights into how to address barriers to employment in
Tasmania,” Ms Dow said.
“The
important role of Local Government in the coordination and success of local
employment programs was discussed at length.
“The IAC meeting also discussed our changing economy and the
challenge we face in that economic growth is no longer leading to full time job
creation in Tasmania.
“There is a need to address the decline in mid-skill jobs
and acknowledge the increase in part time and casual jobs and underemployment.
Our traditional areas of growth are changing and there is a need to take a
different approach to education and training and more importantly pathways to
employment particularly across regional Tasmania.
“Labor is committed to working with educators, industry, local government and the community to identify short, medium and long term policies to support the growth of Tasmania’s employment, regional development and trade sectors. Our free TAFE policy is but one example of this.”
Anita Dow MP
Shadow Minister for Regional Development and Small Business
