Page 3649 - Week 12 - Thursday, 13 October 1994
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Vocational Training
MR BERRY: My question is directed to the Minister for Education. In asking him a question I would like to thank him for drawing the stark contrast between Labor and the Liberals, particularly in relation to the policies which have been announced - those policies that were whipped up in the cauldron, the nightmare policies for ACT education. I would like the Minister to point out the contrast that might exist, and the opportunities for vocational training that are available, or will be available, to meet the demand for high level skills in ACT business and industry.
MR WOOD: This is a more significant question than the Opposition realises. Opportunities for training are expanding in the ACT, as in Australia, and they are changing. There has been, in fact, a revolution in training occurring around Australia over the last two or three years, and it will occur in the future, as it is a fairly time consuming task. The ACT has enthusiastically joined in the national training reform agenda because of the very considerable benefits that it will bring to the ACT, to its industry, and to the people who work in a whole range of businesses and industries. The reform is a recognition that the old ways had to change to ensure that the work force has the skills needed for a dynamic and competitive nation. In brief, the reform agenda will integrate industry, enterprises, and the needs of individuals, and will have them working in the same direction. It will also be competency based and it will achieve national industry standards. All this happens very much in consultation with industry. It will also ensure more flexible pathways for younger people as they exit schools, and it will increase the access of all people. The ACT Government, through its own resources, and with the welcome addition of Commonwealth growth funds, has provided hundreds of additional training places in the ACT. We have also established pilot programs in many areas to ensure that the way we are going is the best possible path.
I can assure Mr Berry that this is a highly significant part of my portfolio. To answer his question, this is in contrast to the vacuum on the Opposition side of politics. They are not even aware of the training reform. They are not even aware that training exists. They have no interest. There is no knowledge. That is the reason why there are no policies, not even a Kate Carnell directed policy. In that Canberra Times article there is not a mention of training. Mrs Carnell was given the same opportunity as I was when a similar article appeared in my name a week before, and that was to talk about the whole spectrum of education in the ACT; but she never gave a thought to training. She did not know about it. She has no vision for it. I think I said yesterday that, in respect of schools, the Carnell imposed vision was somewhat impaired. In respect of training it is simply blind. There is no vision at all because it is not there.
I think it was Mr Connolly who declared once that Mrs Carnell was a policy-free zone. That has become very evident in respect of training. In all the time that I have been attending to training issues I can recall Mr Cornwell asking one question, and I think Ms Szuty once asked a question. The Liberals simply do not know the importance of this program. It is something that I suggest they put their mind to. Perhaps it might be better this way. The policy they outlined yesterday, per Mrs Carnell, about schools will be
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