Skills ministers are apparently just getting on with the job

By Peter Roberts

Federal, State and Territory Skills and Training Ministers met on Friday to progress key reforms to vocational education and training (VET) and the development of a new National Skills Agreement (NSA).

Afterwards they put out their usual post-meeting statement listing what was discussed – a long, rather dry but worthy communique has become the norm – check @AuManufacturing’s coverage of recent meetings here.

Skills ministers discussed the key architecture for new funding and stewardship arrangements for a new 5-year National Skills Agreement due to commence from 1 January 2024.

They also discussed the ongoing development of nationally networked TAFE Centres of Excellence.

These TAFE Centres of Excellence will partner with industry, universities, and governments to address critical challenges in our economy such as transition to a clean economy, and manufacturing and sovereign capability.

In qualifications reform, the ministers announced a time-limited tripartite Qualifications Reform Design Group would be established to take this reform forward.

“This will be the first step of a multi-year program of work to deliver on the skills ministers’ reform ambition.”

Finally the ministers were also briefed by Interim Director of Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) Professor Peter Dawkins on its upcoming priorities and a 2023-24 workplan that has been developed with tripartite partners.

So no particular announceable from the nation’s skills and training ministers, no breathless press release of new funding for some marginal seat in North Queensland or Western Australia, no picking fights with the states, no stunt allowing Federal Minister for Skills and Training, Brendan O’Connor to wear a silly hat.

In fact, none of the grandstanding, and of the non-stop campaigning which infected governments from Tony Abbott onwards.

Just men and women working through an agenda, moving forward month by month fleshing out major training initiatives, all within an agreed plan that is backed by some extra funding.

Given the chronic lack of the right skills affecting every manufacturer, it is a refreshing change to report – no news here, just getting on with the job.

Further reading:
Browse @AuManufacturing’s coverage of the meetings of the nation’s skills and training ministers here.

Picture: NCVER