Letter to the editor of The Courier-Mail
6 August 2003
The Courier-Mail is right in recognising that the ageing workforce and planning ahead for future skill needs are critical issues, both economically and socially. (The Courier-Mail, 4-08-03). We and our Commonwealth, state, and territory government and industry partners are taking action to address these in the following ways:
- We are researching mature workers to identify how training can be tailored to build their skills and encourage them to re-enter or stay in the workforce.
- We are reviewing national training packages, our key product, to see how they can better meet current and future skill needs.
- ANTA is looking at existing VET practitioners to work out what their needs are now and into the future so that training providers can deliver the training that business and industry need.
- The ANTA Board has put in place new industry skills councils and a regular national industry skills forum of senior industry leaders to give the VET sector up-to-the-minute advice. Part of the councils’ role will be to establish links with co-operative research centres, to ensure that they are in touch with the latest technology and techniques in Australian workplaces.
ANTA, and the VET sector, are sharpening their focus on the future to ensure that Australia maintains the flexible workforce with cutting-edge skills that is critical to our ongoing economic performance, community development, and social cohesion.
Stuart Hornery
ANTA Board chair