SCLC Urges Skills Policy Overhaul

Date: 14 February 2007

The South Coast Labour Council will launch a discussion paper today urging a fundamental overhaul to the funding and implementation of Apprenticeship and Traineeship programs which, if implemented, would result in a massive increase in training and job opportunities particularly for young workers.

South Coast Labour Council Secretary, Arthur Rorris, said:

"We want to see the concept of mutual obligation extended to include employers."

"The Federal Government's hands-off approach has led to one of the biggest market failures in decades, constraining the economy and leading to hardship and hopelessness amongst thousands of unemployed young Australians."

"Young Australians deserve a go and there should be requirements on industry to employee local trainees and apprentices before they can look overseas to fill their shortages of skilled labour"

"There needs to be a level playing field, currently some employers are shouldering a lot more of the burden in the training system than others who, unfortunately, wait for their competitors to do the initial training and then 'poach' these workers."

"On the other hand there needs to be a far greater incentive for employers to train the long term unemployed and others who face significant barriers to employment.

"We need an underlying principle that every employer must accept responsibility for entry level training, to either accept apprentices or contribute financially for that training to be done elsewhere."

"There is no free lunch here, employers can't complain about skill shortages if they are not prepared to take on apprentices and trainees."

The discussion paper, National Skill Shortages, can be viewed at:

www.sclc.com.au/pdf/Skill_Shortage_140207.pdf

The discussion paper will be officially launched: 12 noon on Wednesday 14 February at the Block P Auditorium at Wollongong TAFE, Foleys Rd, Nth Wollongong.

For further information

Contact:	Arthur Rorris
Union:	South Coast Labour Council
Phone:	(02) 4229 2888
Contact Mobile:	0409 223029

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