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Media Release
ADULT LEARNERS - AUSTRALIA’S UNTAPPED WORKFORCE
September 1, 2006
The growing pool of mature-age Australians could help address national skills needs by reskilling, retraining and re-entering the workforce, Australian Minister for Vocational and Technical Education, the Hon Gary Hardgrave MP, said today.
Mr Hardgrave launched Adult Learners’ Week, held at the Nathan Campus of Griffith University in Queensland, and issued the challenge to all older Australians to take up some form of training.
“An ageing population and the trend towards early retirement means we need to encourage a change of attitude by those who may have thought that their working lives were finished,’’ Mr Hardgrave said.
“It doesn’t matter whether you’re a teenager or in your fifties, there is no use-by date for education and training, ” Mr Hardgrave said.
“Australia’s workforce faces the potential dilemma of having more people leaving it than entering. If we are to continue to be competitive on the global stage then supplying industry with skilled workers is one of our major challenges.’’
The Australian Government provides $250,000 in funding for Adult Learners’ Week and $375,000 to states and territories for local activities to promote adult learning with hundreds of events, workshops and open days planned across the country.
Adult Learners’ Week will showcase training opportunities available to adults, including Australians with poor literacy skills, with disabilities and Australians of Indigenous and ethnic backgrounds.
This year the Australian Government is conducting reviews in key areas of vocational education, such as infrastructure funding and resources, as part of its commitment to a flexible and accessible training system for all Australians.
Minister Hardgrave’s Media Adviser: Nikki Voss 0402 896 100
Dept of Education, Science and Training: Media Unit 02 6140 7300
Non-media queries 1300 363 079
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