“Now we know – we need more skills training”

7 Dec 06

“Now we know – we need more skills training”

“This week’s Census 2006 figures have revealed that we need to invest more in skills training, particularly at the diploma and certificate level”, said Jeremy Baker, Executive Director of the Industry Training Federation.

“We already know there are significant skill shortages; the new figures make it plain that despite a lot of noise to the contrary, it is our investment at the certificate and diploma level that needs attention.

“There is a lot of good news in the Census data. The number of people with diploma and certificate qualifications has risen by 34%, or over 180,000 people, over the last five years. Industry training, involving over 30,000 employers, together with programmes offered by tertiary providers, have clearly made a difference.

“But the number of people with Bachelors degrees has risen at a much faster rate – by 51%. This is probably a good thing for those gaining those qualifications; but we need to make sure we are investing our scarce tertiary dollar where it is needed most.

“The need to invest more in achievement at the diploma and certificate level is highlighted by the alarming figure that the number of people with no qualification has risen by 3% in the last 5 years.

“Industry training and workplace learning are a key means of tackling this challenge. Employers, industry and the Government have made good progress over the last five years; but it is clear from these figures that we need to rebalance our investment.

“The Industry Training Federation looks forward to working with the Minister for Tertiary Education to ensure that these challenges are tackled as part of the tertiary education reforms”, Mr. Baker said.

ENDS

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