"Achieving the 21,000 target for new apprentices under the Federal Government's Kickstart program is a great result and consideration should be given to building on the program," Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) Chief Executive Heather Ridout said today.

"The Kickstart outcome was announced today at the launch of the strategy, Australian Workforce Futures - A National Workforce Development Strategy. We endorse the strategy and call for its adoption by government and its implementation as a matter of priority.

"The strategy focuses on the need to lift our skills levels in the context of a broader approach to workforce development; to adopt an ambitious but achievable target on workforce participation; and the integral need to lift the literacy levels of those in work and out of the workforce. If this is achieved, it will lift our economic and business performance and very importantly, improve the well-being of countless Australians. Skills development has to be given priority because of our comparatively low unemployment levels and the prospect of big skill shortages re-emerging in the near term.

"There is no more important agenda than this in Australia and we urge governments at all levels to give it their closest consideration. This is essential if we are to take advantage of the huge opportunities that will present themselves in the years ahead," she said.

"In terms of apprenticeship commencements, this is an issue Ai Group has been very concerned about and one that we had sought action on. We strongly promoted the Kickstart program among Ai Group member companies and it was well received.

"The Government's response has produced a good outcome and thought now needs to be given to keeping up the momentum and building on the program in some form. While we understand the need for a hard deadline, the risk is that with the conclusion of the scheme the momentum around apprenticeship commencements will weaken.

"The improvement in apprenticeship numbers needs be sustained to ensure a continuing supply of skilled tradespeople. Our own research has forecast skill shortages in the coming year across manufacturing, construction, engineering and services. Construction companies in particular are concerned with growing skills shortages as they embark on major infrastructure and resource investments. It was good to see that the construction industry was one of the most active sectors in taking up the opportunity presented under Kickstart," Mrs Ridout said.


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