The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) opposes the reforms to school training announced by the South Australian Government. The proposed reforms will undermine the South Australian training system, and leave South Australian students disadvantaged.
“The Government’s proposed World of Work Challenge is child labour dressed up as careers counselling,” said Peter Bauer, AMWU SA State Secretary.
“Industry and Skills Minister David Pisoni made an election promise to deliver 20 800 more apprenticeships in South Australia. Instead he’s come up with a plan that will isolate South Australia from the nationally recognised training system and be driven by what training providers can profit from,” Mr Bauer said.
The proposed overhauls come as apprenticeship commencement and completion rates have declined.
“If the Marshall Government is serious about delivering the skills our state will need for the future, they should start by securing the jobs of highly skilled workers at ASC.
“Why would you bother with an apprenticeship when this government is throwing skilled workers on the scrap-heap?
“The pipeline of naval shipbuilding we have in South Australia requires a significant ramp up of qualified engineering tradespeople, technicians, and other highly skilled workers.
“Instead of delivering an increase in skilled workers, Mr Pisoni is fixating on ways to give employers ready access to cheap, ‘work-ready’ labour.
“Continuous naval shipbuilding offers the very real prospect of intergenerational careers for South Australians in high-skilled, well paid jobs in an industry with the potential to add much to the future of South Australia.
“To make the most of that opportunity, we need an Industry and Skills Minister focussed on protecting the jobs of existing skilled workers, and with a real plan for building South Australia’s workforce capability, not a focus on getting kids into low-skilled part time jobs,” Mr Bauer said.
