Page 267 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 31 May 1989
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VOCATIONAL TRAINING BILL 1989
MR WHALAN (Minister for Industry, Employment and Education) (10.39): I present the Vocational Training Bill 1989. I move:
That this Bill be agreed to in principle.
The purpose of the Vocational Training Bill 1989 is to establish an ACT vocational training authority in order to improve and extend training for industry and commerce in the Territory. The authority will replace the ACT Apprenticeship Board and will have broader powers to administer both apprenticeships and traineeships, as well as to promote the development of training in the ACT. It will be established on a tripartite basis with equal employer, union and government representation on the authority of 10 members. The director of the ACT Institute of Technical and Further Education will be, ex officio, a member of the authority.
There is a pressing need to modernise ACT provision for the administration of industry training and to bring the ACT into line with changes which have been made in most States in recent years. This requirement has been very widely recognised in the extensive consultations which have been undertaken on the proposal to establish a vocational training authority since 1987. The setting up of the authority commands wide support in the community among employers and unions.
The authority will be an expert body to advise the Minister on training in the Territory. It will have a major significance as a vehicle for fostering collaboration between employers, unions and government agencies in improving and extending training arrangements. An interim authority has functioned since early 1988 and there are already healthy signs of enhanced cooperation between the industry partners in training matters.
The authority will be required to promote equity in access to training opportunities. The Government places very considerable importance on this need and will look to the authority for constructive measures to assist girls and women, the disabled, migrants and other groups disadvantaged in access to training and employment. I look to further innovations, such as the tradeswomen on the move project which was conducted very successfully last year.
Training represents an investment in people and in the economic future of this Territory. It affords a means of widening access to jobs and of increasing job satisfaction. Effective training will increase the productivity and competitiveness of ACT industry and contribute to both economic and social objectives.
The ACT has a quality education system, and the Government will be taking measures to build a quality training system
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