The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Committee for Melbourne are calling for major education and workforce reform to ensure Victoria can meet future industry demand and address growing skills shortages across the economy.
As part of the Maximising Victoria’s Potential and Competitiveness platform, the organisations are proposing a shift towards a more demand-driven workforce development system closely aligned with industry needs.
The platform warns that without a skilled workforce, Victoria’s future industries will struggle to grow, invest and compete.
Key reforms include:
- Industry Skills Pacts linked directly to Industry Deals
- Payroll tax exemptions for directly employed apprentices and trainees
- Stronger investment in literacy, numeracy and digital capability
- More flexible, modular lifelong learning pathways
- Greater support for underrepresented groups in priority industries
Stronger collaboration between business, education providers and government is also required to better align training outcomes with workforce demand.
To be attributed to Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chief Executive, Sally Curtain:
“Skills shortages remain one of the biggest barriers to business growth across Victoria.
“We need a workforce system that responds to the real needs of industry and prepares people for the jobs of the future.
“Education and skills policy must be treated as economic policy.
“Businesses are ready to partner with government and educators to strengthen Victoria’s workforce pipeline.”
To be attributed to Committee for Melbourne Chief Executive, Scott Veenker:
“Melbourne’s long-term success depends on attracting, developing and retaining talent.
“We need stronger connections between schools, universities, TAFEs and industry so people can move more effectively into high-demand sectors.
“A modern economy requires lifelong learning, adaptability and workforce participation across the entire community.”
Contact details:
To organise television or radio interviews/grabs with Victorian Chamber Chief Executive Sally Curtain or Committee for Melbourne Chief Executive Scott Veenker, please call 0423 883 945 or email [email protected]