News and Reviews
Employment White Paper – putting VET on an equal footing
Employment White Paper – putting VET on an equal footing
Master Builders Australia
The peak building and construction industry association, Master Builders Australia, has today commended the Federal Government’s ambitious education priorities that seek to put VET on an equal footing with higher education.
The building and construction industry has faced critical labour shortages and appropriate skill levels which dampens economic recovery and productivity growth says Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn.
“Developing an informed and evidence-based roadmap for Australia to build a bigger, better-trained, and more productive workforce is critical to our nation’s ongoing success.
“Improving productivity requires a multifaceted approach. Doing more with less is what will allow Australia to achieve better economic and societal outcomes.
“The investments in skills and training, better integration of tertiary education, and the development of higher and bachelor-equivalent apprenticeships will help address the bias that exists with going to university over VET.
“However, the role of not-for-profit, industry-led registered training organisations should be recognised in developing these pathways.
“Construction is the backbone of the Australian economy, employing approximately 1.3 million people, providing infrastructure, commercial and community buildings, and homes for the growing population.
“The nature of work in the industry is evolving due to increasing business specialisation, more offsite building, technology integration, and complex regulatory requirements but what we know is vocational education is and will remain crucial to the workforce.
“Understanding the emerging and future workforce skills needs is critical for ensuring flexible pathways in the industry that meet the changing and diverse needs of workers, businesses, and employers.
“Master Builders is committed to a net zero built environment and investing in ensuring we have enough skilled workers to meet this transition will be key,” Ms Wawn said.
Master Builders Australia, has today commended the Federal Government’s ambitious education priorities that seek to put VET on an equal footing with higher education.
Earlier this year, Master Builders released its blueprint for future-proofing the building and construction industry’s workforce which forecast the need for 486,000 new entrants into the industry over the next three years.
“The building and construction industry needs to attract around 230,000 technicians and tradies, the vast majority of whom will need to enter the industry through a trade apprenticeship.
“Policies that prioritise attracting, recruiting, training and retaining workers in the industry will be vital to ensure Australia’s housing and infrastructure needs can be delivered.
“The Employment White Paper has also rightly referenced the challenge of female participation in the building and construction industry.
“Improving the attractiveness of the industry to women presents a massive opportunity to increase the pool of potential workers.
“The Women Building Australia program is one example of an industry-led initiative to provide appropriate mentorship and support for women entering the industry which has helped see an uptick of female participation over recent years.
“We look forward to continuing working closely with the Government to help meet the objectives in the White Paper and thank the Treasurer for his collaboration and constructive consultation with the industry,” said Ms Wawn.
However, the roadmap and policy directions within the paper are being undermined by the far-reaching industrial relations Bill being pursued by Minister Burke.
“We need to be making it easier to do business, foster job creation and sustainable wages growth, encourage new entrants, and reverse flat lining productivity – which the Government’s IR Bill seeks to do the opposite.
“With 98 per cent of businesses in building and construction being small business, more can be done to simplify complex and inconsistent regulatory requirements so tradies can spend less time in the back office and more time on the tools, growing their business and employing more people.
“Conditions that support business success, support higher levels of employment. Reducing the complexity and time spent by businesses on regulatory obligations and administrative tasks will free up time for the money-making part of business operations.
“The IR legislation is completely inconsistent with the long-held concepts that underpin the workplace relations system and productive labour market,” Ms Wawn said.
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New development planned for Woolgoolga Retirement Village
Woolgoolga and District Retirement Village Ltd are taking steps to add a collection of modern retirement residences and amenities to their village in High Street. They are in the early phase of planning a new development to be called Callisto Coastal Retirement.
Sasha Andrews, Chief Executive Officer of Woolgoolga and District Retirement Village Ltd is excited about the plans. “We are very proud to be adding Callisto Coastal Retirement to our community.” Ms Andrews said. “We are part of a great community in a fantastic location and aim to set the benchmark for premium retirement living in Woolgoolga.”
At this early stage, they are keen to get input from the local community of future residents to help create the perfect coastal retirement. A Feedback Forum is being offered to eligible potential residents aged 55+, providing an opportunity to learn more, convey their thoughts, ideas and insights around design and services, features, amenities and priorities.
The new development has the support of the Board of Directors of the not-for-profit, community owned organisation. Chairperson, Ian Wade said “Woolgoolga and District Retirement Village has played an important role in the community for many years and we want to ensure that it continues to meet the needs of our seniors for years to come. We have a great opportunity to provide quality retirement living, built with future residents in mind.”
A community Feedback Forum is planned for Tuesday 7 May. For details and to register to attend, go to the website here. For more on the Woolgoolga Retirement Village, visit here.
For more Coffs Harbour news, click here.
Memory Run Walk Jog – My Way Lismore
Albert Park Baseball Grounds
Keen Street Lismore
8am Sunday 19th May 2024
Join a fun community activity to fundraise and raise dementia awareness. Last year, more than 10,000 people walked, jogged and ran in cities and towns across Australia for people impacted by dementia. Dementia awareness
Lismore events include a 10km run, a 5km jog/walk or a 1km walk so that the day is inclusive of all levels of physical ability.
There will be information stalls providing details of supports, local resources and services to help those impacted by dementia, as well as food and drinks.
Form a team from your workplace, local club, friends or family (dress up to make it fun!) and enter the 1km walk, 5km jog/walk or a 10km run. Get lots of sponsors!
To register a team or take part as an individual go to:
www.memorywalk.com.au/event/lismore-myway
Dementia awareness
Currently, dementia is the leading cause of death in women and overall, it is the second leading cause of death for all Australians. In 2024, it is estimated that more than 1.6 million people in Australia are involved in the care of someone living with dementia.
Dr Jones says ‘The ageing population in the Northern Rivers is growing at an exponential rate. Our region is one of the highest ageing communities in NSW and this comes with increasing rates of those impacted by dementia in our community. I’m quite keen to see that we adopt more preventable approaches against dementia in our region’. Dementia awareness
Dr Jones says ‘There are many things we can do to prevent dementia or delay your risk of developing dementia. Adopting healthy lifestyle habits, in particular regular exercise can make a significant difference’.
“We encourage the whole community to come together, not only to raise money for
Dementia Australia, but also to exercise together and to fight this disease” says Dr Jones.
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