Skills shortage overlooked in infrastructure program

Tasmanian Labor
  • Infrastructure
    program needs skilled workers to succeed
  • Measures must
    be implemented to upskill workers
  • Labor’s Free
    TAFE policy the way forward
  • The Liberal government must address Tasmania’s
    skills shortage if its infrastructure program is to succeed.

    Shadow
    Minister for TAFE, University and Skills Michelle O’Byrne said Labor’s Free
    TAFE policy must be adopted to
    ensure Tasmanian workers come first in the promised infrastructure revival.

    “The Liberals are good at making record
    announcements, but their record of delivery is poor,” Ms O’Byrne said.

    “The government’s
    infrastructure package is
    welcome and needed, but it cannot succeed unless it has a Tasmanian skilled
    workforce behind it to see it through.

    “Before the
    pandemic, employers were crying out for skilled workers, with many resorting to
    flying skilled workers in to the state and data from the Productivity
    Commission
    showing they were increasingly dissatisfied with the training
    system.

    “As we start
    coming out the other side of the COVID-19 crisis, this shortage must be
    addressed, along with the training deficiencies.

    “We need to
    upskill workers, retrain those who have lost work as a result of the pandemic
    and provide pathways for young school leavers.

    “Tasmania’s
    TAFE system has the potential to be the training engine room of the economy,
    driving qualifications and employment.

    “Labor’s $10 million policy to provide
    free TAFE courses in key industries facing skills shortages is a clear opportunity
    to provide the training needed to make that happen.

    By making TAFE courses more
    accessible we can make real progress on Tasmania’s recovery, building back some of
    the jobs lost to COVID-19 whilst getting locals into work

    “To do that we need to buy local, build local and employ local. I again urge them to adopt Labor’s policy for the good of the state and all Tasmanians.

    Michelle O’Byrne MP

    Shadow Minister for TAFE, University and Skills

    /Public Release. View in full here.