The national employer association Ai Group has congratulated the SA Government for its COVID-19 management and urged it to concentrate on key initiatives around skills shortages and support for training at all levels, in the wake of stalled skilled migration and a lack of international students and backpackers.
Ai Group’s SA Head Stephen Myatt said, "Our members are concerned in relation to skills demand exceeding supply across the board, not just in the obvious growth areas of defence.
"We have advocated for resources in schools to case manage students interested in the trades and a program to encourage employers, who formerly employed apprentices, back into the market.
"Ai Group has urged the Government to use the budget to play a role in assisting companies to come to grips with Industry 4.0, big data, machine learning, digitalisation and business model innovation.
"We have encouraged the collaborative delivery of advice and services by Government, industry and globally recognised leaders in the space such as Fraunhofer IAO, to manufacturing businesses embarking on growth strategies.
"SA and Australia are still a long way from ‘out of the woods’ on COVID-19 but there is optimism from many companies compared with this time last year and growth initiatives should be supported.
"Our submission also encourages support for the Industry Participation Advocate, for a heightened role in Government procurement," Mr Myatt said.
The State Budget will be delivered on Tuesday 22nd June.
Further comment: Stephen Myatt 0419 818 048
