LOCAL TRAINEES AND APPRENTICES THE ONLY ANSWER TO BALLARAT’S SKILL SHORTAGES

The government’s most recent data confirms that under the Morrison-Joyce Government, there are 70,000 fewer trainees and apprentices across Australia than when Labor was last in government.

Cruelly, the electorate of Ballarat is not immune to the government’s neglect, with there being hundreds fewer apprentices and trainees across the region than when Labor was last in government.

Because of the government’s neglect to our skills sector over the past eight years, there is close to a 15 per cent drop in apprentices and trainees in Ballarat.

It is no wonder businesses in the Ballarat community are faced with a skills crisis.

To create the next generation of jobs and deliver the skills Australia needs to drive future economic growth, an Albanese Labor Government will provide Australians access to Free TAFE in industries were there are skills shortages.

This is good news for local businesses and good news for locals looking to retrain or enter the workforce.

Comment attributable to Catherine King:

“Whether you are a hospitality business in Daylesford or a manufacturer in Ballarat, you are facing the same problems with skills shortages.

“These skill shortages can be crippling to local businesses that are seeking to expand or trying to keep the doors open after a tough two years.

“The way to confront these challenges isn’t to slash skills funding, it is to invest in the future of local workers right here in our community.

“The way to overcome local skills shortages is to train more local workers, delivering a win for local businesses and a win for locals who need an opportunity to get ahead.

Comment attributable to Richard Marles, Deputy Leader of the Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for National Reconstruction, Employment, Skills and Small Business:

“Under Labor’s Free TAFE plan, anyone who wants to study in an area of skills shortage will get that opportunity.

“Businesses in Ballarat have the potential to really thrive if they can get the staff they need to grow, and we want to see that happen.

“The Morrison Government has been asleep at the wheel when it comes to skilling up local workers, instead they have cut funding to TAFE and failed to nurture a homegrown workforce – this must change.

“Federal Labor’s Free TAFE plan will complement the great work already being done by the Victorian state government to address skills shortages and to get people into rewarding careers where they’re needed the most.

You can find more about Labor’s TAFE policy here: https://anthonyalbanese.com.au/media-centre/free-tafe-uni-places-future-made-australia