Election 2005

Progressive package to address skills shortages

Businesses and communities all over the country are suffering skills shortages.

It's at least a better problem to have than job shortages because it means our economy is running hot, but it's also a problem we have to solve in order to keep economic growth going.

Progressive is campaigning on reducing skills shortages with our skills shortage package.

Addressing Skills Shortages package

- Skills shortage stocktake in cooperation with the business community so we can plan for apprenticeships and graduates in these areas,

- Skills shortage scholarships to encourage people to train in areas of urgent need. Piloting 1,000 scholarships to start with at the cost of $12 - 15 million.

o We will pay their total student fees, or training costs,

o They will also receive the student allowance,

o Those people who won the scholarships would be bonded to stay and work in New Zealand for at least the period for which they received the scholarship.

- Backed up by strong progressive economic development policies (already in action in government),

- A company tax cut on April 1, 2006 to encourage businesses investment in technology, skills training, research and market development,

- And double the number of Modern Apprentices and Industry Traininees by 2007, to 16,000 and 250,000 respectively.

This adds to the Labour Progressive government's programmes both with Work and Income to train the unemployed for skills shortage areas, and to attract appropriate migrants from overseas, where positions can not be filled soon enough by New Zealanders.

Examples of skills shortages areas

Automotive electricians, bakers, boat builders, bricklayers, butchers, cabinet makers, carpenters, diesel mechanics, electricians, fitter and turners, fitter and welders, forestry workers, horticultural workers, motor mechanics, panel beaters, plumbers, sheet metal workers.

All areas of the economy would be investigated for the stock take including: professionals, trades, service workers, doctors, nurses, teachers.

ENDS

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