11. GEORGINA BEYER (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister for Social Development and Employment
What reports has he received on the progress towards addressing skill shortages in the labour force?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE (Minister for Social Development and Employment) Link to this
Investment by this Government in skills is clearly paying dividends. The latest Skills in the Labour Market report recorded the largest fall in skill shortage indicators in 15 years. Further reports released by the Department of Labour today on 14 specific occupational trades show that the number of people achieving these trade qualifications each year has almost doubled, from 1,600 in 2001 to 3,000 in 2005, and that the number of trainees enrolled in these trade qualifications has also doubled, from 8,000 in 2001 to 16,000 in 2005. That is clear evidence of our success in rebuilding a training culture in this country after National destroyed the apprenticeship system.
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE Link to this
The Department of Labour advises me that the current cycle of shortages most likely began in the late 1990s due to the low level of trade training that occurred during the decade of the 1990s. Employers interviewed as part of these surveys indicated that changes to the apprenticeship system in the 1990s impacted negatively on the number of people entering training for trades. Labour has reversed that foolishness, and is investing in the people and skills that the economy needs.