VERTO welcomes Minister Macfarlane’s commitment to streamline national training system
VERTO CEO, Ron Maxwell, today welcomed the announcement made by Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane to cut red tape, reduce business costs for training providers and streamline the national training system.
The Minister made the commitment in a keynote address to the National Skills Summit in Canberra hosted by the Australian Council of Private Education and Training and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Mr Maxwell said he was pleased the Federal Government recognised the importance of establishing a sophisticated and flexible training system that could meet industry needs.
"I welcome the Federal Government’s commitment to establish an advisory committee of industry representatives who will advise how we can enhance the national training system," Mr Maxwell said.
"Around three million Australians enrol in recognised training courses each year. This announcement is a great win for students as it shows the Government’s firm commitment to reforming the sector so more jobs will be available to students upon completion of their training.
“I look forward to seeing the initial recommendations of the industry led advisory committee,” Mr Maxwell said.
Mr Maxwell also said the Federal Government’s commitment to making targeted and comprehensive reforms to the industry would boost economic productivity and jobs growth.
“The Government’s strategy to take a whole of sector approach plays an important part in ensuring businesses can place skilled workers in their particular industry.
“This is particularly critical given information released by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research today shows apprenticeship and traineeship commencements decreased by 25.9% from 2012 to 2013, with non-trade commencements down 37.5%,” Mr Maxwell said.
Mr Maxwell has also today welcomed Minister Macfarlane’s commitment to freeze the Australian Skills Quality Authority’s (ASQA) fees in 2014-15 and to ensure the regulator’s funding can support the reform agenda.
“Reducing administrative costs on training providers will only help to strengthen the vocational education sector,” Mr Maxwell said.
Mr Maxwell said in 2014-15 the Federal Government will fund $1.4 billion of training programs and they will also provide $1.8 billion to states and territories (including New South Wales) for vocational education and training.
“We welcome the Federal Government’s significant investment in training, commitment to reducing red tape, and reform of the national training system to better meet the needs of Australian industry,” Mr Maxwell said.
