What we heard about strengthening Australia’s skills and careers sectors

The Department has published summaries of we heard during national co-design consultations on three key Skills Package initiatives – the National Skills Commission, National Careers Institute and Skills Organisations.

From October to December last year more than 800 people were involved in the consultations which included workshops in 13 locations across Australia, interviews, online submissions and employer roundtables. Employers, employment providers, career practitioners, peak bodies, unions, state and territory governments and education and training providers gave valuable insights into what our future workforce needs to succeed.

Overall, stakeholders were supportive of the Skills Package and the opportunity it provides to improve Australia’s skills and careers sectors.

Summaries of the findings from the consultations are available in the links below.

The work the Skills Package is delivering will be vital to Australia’s economic recovery from COVID-19. It will help ensure our skills and careers sectors are able to support and train a highly skilled, resilient and adaptable workforce.

National Skills Commissioner Bill

On 14 May 2020 the National Skills Commissioner Bill 2020 was introduced to the House of Representatives – a key milestone in establishing the NSC.

The Bill would make the role of National Skills Commissioner a statutory office holder, who will provide oversight and a forward vision to the Australian Governments work on labour market research and analysis, VET pricing and performance, skills forecasting and preparing for Australia’s future ways of working.

Improving Careers Information

The activities of the National Careers Institute will play a role supporting Australian’s navigate the economic recovery by giving individuals and businesses the information they need to make informed decisions about education and employment options. It will do this by:

  • Facilitating improved access to quality career information by launching Release 1 of its Digital Platform in 2020.
  • Strengthening partnerships between key VET and careers sector organisations through a Partnership Grants Program.
  • Raising the profile of online learning opportunities and resources for small businesses with the National Careers Ambassador.
  • Promoting VET pathway information and the importance of career development.
  • Celebrating VET excellence and showcasing VET as a key contributor to Australia’s economic recovery through the Australian Training Awards.

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