A vital element to the Morrison Government’s JobMaker strategy has been locked in, with the National Skills Commissioner Bill passing through Parliament.
The National Skills Commission will be a critical new part of Australia’s economic infrastructure, providing expert advice and national leadership on the labour market, current and future skills needs and workforce development issues.
The new statutory Commissioner will advise on Australia’s current, emerging, and future workforce needs, the development of efficient prices for vocational education and training (VET) courses and advise on the performance of the VET system.
Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash said the Commission, led by Interim Commissioner Mr Adam Boyton, will be a trusted source of information and supports the Government’s JobMaker plan as the economy recovers from COVID-19.
“Establishing the National Skills Commission is central to ensuring that skills shortages don’t become a handbrake on our economic recovery from COVID-19,” Minister Cash said.
“Many Australians will need to reskill or upskill, which is why it’s so important that we have a stronger VET system because the jobs that are created in the recovery period from the COVID-19 pandemic, will not be the same as the jobs that were lost.
“The Commission will help develop a deep understanding of labour market conditions in Australia and the emerging skills needs of Australian businesses so we can kickstart the economy.
The Commission will formally commence on 1 July and will utilise the latest technology, expert analysis and undertake regular surveys of employers, to develop robust intelligence on Australia’s labour market now and into the future,
It has also been tasked with examining how pricing for VET qualifications currently operates and establishing an efficient pricing methodology to inform the Commonwealth’s investment in the VET system.
The Assistant Minister for Vocational Education, Training and Apprenticeships, the Hon Steve Irons MP, said the Morrison Government’s JobMaker plan will help fast-track these reforms.
“As the Prime Minister has made clear, we need to streamline our national training system to optimise outcomes for Australian workers and employers alike,” Assistant Minister Irons said.
The Commission forms part of the Government’s $585 million skills package, Delivering Skills for Today and Tomorrow, which also includes establishing the National Careers Institute, boosting apprenticeship numbers and piloting new Skills Organisations.
