The rapid shift in our electricity system calls for a huge increase in the workforce needed to construct, operate and maintain it. Urgent action on building up this workforce is needed.
Federal Labor is promising to cover the cost of 465,000 TAFE places, including 45,000 new places. But there’s a chronic shortage of VET teachers and trainers, so that problem has to be fixed first.
There is a growing mismatch between what education and training provide and the skills needed in workplaces being reshaped by the digital economy. Advanced apprenticeships can help close the gap.
The federal government must take a stronger leadership role to ensure the many bodies that co-ordinate employment training programs are sharing information to develop best practices.
In Alberta, an alternative initiative sees youth who commit non-violent crimes sentenced to 25 hours of chess instruction with a University of Lethbridge professor.
Early intervention via education and training will cost money straight up. But it makes no sense to watch young people drift through unemployment and disengagement and turn into unemployable adults.
Benta A. Abuya, African Population and Health Research Center
Thanks to life-skills training, girls who previously believed it improbable that they would go on to secondary school are now allowing themselves to dream about possibilities.
Hilary Steedman, London School of Economics and Political Science and Claudia Hupkau, London School of Economics and Political Science
Labour should be commended for its commitment to high-quality apprenticeships, but it’s hard to say if the party’s policies are part of a pathway, or a dead end.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Industry Minister Ian MacFarlane yesterday announced funding to engage young people in education and employment, and reforms of apprenticeship support services. This announcement…