Trade it to beat skills shortage
A cultural change towards vocational education is needed to combat Australia's skills shortage, according to Federal Vocational and Further Education minister Andrew Robb.
Despite the rising number of apprentices, Mr Robb said yesterday more had to be done to change the perception that careers in traditional trades were inferior to white-collar professions.
Speaking at the launch of the SkillsOne website and television show, Mr Robb said "cultural issues'' were holding Australia back.
"We have got ourselves -- one way or another -- into a situation where we don't rate technical training, technical trades and technical careers anywhere near where we rate academic pursuits and I think it's quite misguided,'' he said.
Despite more than 534,000 people completing apprenticeships in the past four years, up from 37,900 in 1996, Australia's skill shortage is increasing.
Institute for Trade Skill Excellence chief executive Brian Wexham also said many people were put off pursuing their talents in trades because of negative stereotypes.
"Vocational training is not and should not be seen as a second choice,'' he saidm.
Mr Wexham warned some sectors were facing serious shortages.
"Hospitality and tourism need to attract 65,000 more people,'' he said.
"A National Farmers' Federation spokesperson highlighted that with the drought easing some 50,000 workers will be needed to meet farm capacity in the rural sector.''
Mr Wexham said the SkillsOne website and TV program, initiatives of The Institute for Trade Skills Excellence, were designed to combat people's perceptions of vocational careers and attract more Australians to work in a skilled trade.
Event waiter and second year hospitality management student Kelly Gill said her parents had been supportive of career choice.
"It was something I really wanted to try out, and they said just go for it,'' she said.
The institute also unveiled a star rating scheme to recognise excellence in trade skill training with the awarding of a one, two or three star rating to registered training organisations.
By Henry Budd, The Daily Telegraph, July 27, 2007.
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- SkillsOne CareerOne Page - check out different careers in trades.
