The Opposition, trade unions, and industry groups have slammed the big-spending budget for remaining "absolutely silent" on the critical skills shortage.
At a time when Australia was desperate for more tradespeople, the Government has reduced the percentage of the budget spent on skills and training, said Opposition training spokeswoman Jenny Macklin.
She said $13.7 million had been slashed from a program that encouraged rural businesses to take on apprentices.
"Instead of focusing on training Australians first, the Howard Government has imported an extra 270,000 skilled migrants but has already turned 300,000 Australians from TAFE," Ms Macklin said.
The Australian Industry Group tips the need for 100,00 more tradespeople by 2010, and its chief executive, Heather Ridout, said it was disappointing that more progress had not been made.
"These areas are required to build the competitiveness of Australian business and to assist in rebalancing the economy as the current minerals boom begins to fade," she said.
read more
No comments:
Post a Comment