The Recruitment and Consulting Services Association (RCSA) has welcomed the Federal Governmentís announcement of new measures to address the nationís skills shortage, saying it is a timely and well-targeted response to the growing crisis.
ìThe Skills Voucher system is a positive step forward in helping business access the untapped workforce - those groups that are keen to provide a greater contribution to the workforce, but lack the means and opportunity to do so. Boosting workforce participation for these people is critical to solving the current candidate shortage,î Ms Julie Mills, CEO of RCSA said.
The measures to increase training in the engineering field are also well-targeted, according to RCSA.
ìWe regularly survey our Membership, which include recruitment and on-hire companies all over Australia, on which roles are hardest to fill. Engineering is consistently at the top of the list,î Ms Mills said.
Apprentices are another well-chosen group to receive help.
ìOur members consistently have difficulties finding candidates across a broad range of trades. In the latest Member survey in September, electrical trades, carpenters and joiners, and metal trades all featured in the Top Ten list of skills shortages. Therefore the governmentís measures to address this shortage are very timely and very welcome,î Ms Mills said.
The key measures announced in the Skills for the Future policy are:
- Work Skills Vouchers to pay for training of underemployed groups
- Wage subsidies for mid-career apprenticeships (those over the age of 30)
- 500 new Commonwealth-supported engineering places at universities
- Additional Employer incentives for apprentices in the engineering field to complete Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas.
Skills for the Future strategy is right on target
Says RCSA
