Page 2718 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 15 August 2017
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develop globally competitive and world-leading capabilities in plant and agricultural sciences, healthy ageing, active living and education pathways. While the tertiary education institutions will have primary responsibility for the delivery of these opportunities, the ACT government will work closely with them to overcome regulatory barriers to the growth of these sectors as well as working with agencies such as Austrade to promote investment opportunities in these sectors.
In the skills development area, we have continued to undertake a range of reform activities to achieve a flexible, responsive and high quality vocational education and training sector. CIT, as the sole public provider of VET in the ACT, continues to train the majority of the ACT’s skilled workers and has a reputation for innovation and quality and enjoys the trust and respect of the community. The strong quality framework we have in place also gives us confidence in the vibrant private training provider market, able to deliver government-supported training through our contestable training initiatives, the Australian apprenticeships program and skilled capital. The reporting of total VET activity has also demonstrated the significant amount of training activity occurring in the fee-for-service market.
This is just a snapshot of a great deal of activity going on within the tertiary education, training and research sector, all of which is playing a vital role in both diversifying and energising Canberra’s economy. It is an exciting portfolio in an exciting time of growth and great opportunities.
For this financial year, my key priorities are: to continue to act as a champion of the tertiary education and research sector across the ACT and externally; to work with the ACT Vice-Chancellors Forum to develop activities and initiatives focused on creating new jobs, new companies and attracting investment, including the implementation of the investment attraction framework report; and to implement the government’s international education strategy, Canberra, Australia’s education capital.
Further priorities are: to strengthen engagement with industry, business and other stakeholders to maximise training and employment outcomes; to take a proactive approach to regulatory issues that impact on the higher education and research sector and minimise regulatory hurdles to the sector’s development; to support training in the areas of highest need, to best provide the skills needed by industry, students and the ACT community; to develop strategies to address the low proportion of females in male-dominated, traditional trades; to assist mature workers to upskill and re-skill; to continue to work closely with the Australian government to achieve the best training outcomes for the ACT and to deliver on agreed national priorities; and to work to ensure all parties demonstrate their commitment to the skills and training sector.
In summary, the ACT government are committed to the development of the tertiary education and research sector here in Canberra and we have partnership strategies in place across a range of areas. Our investments and commitment to this sector are clear, through the positive impact the higher education and training sector is having at a range of levels outlined today. We will continue to pursue opportunities to build on our reputation as Australia’s education capital, to attract talent and investment and to advance our already world-leading education and research institutions to diversify and grow Canberra’s economy.
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