NATIONAL SKILLS FORUM

The Department of Education, Science and Training recently convened The National Skills Forum to provide an opportunity to exchange information on impediments and success factors for attracting and retaining workers, particularly in trade occupations experiencing skills shortages. 

The forum highlighted current issues including the ageing workforce, skilled migration and the duration of apprenticeships. 

There were three notable speakers: Professor Ewart Keep, Dr John Buchanan, and Peter Noonan.  ions.

• Professor Keep, Deputy Director of the ESRC Research Centre on Skills, Knowledge and Organisational Performance in the UK, spoke on 'Skills Shortages in the UK: Issues, Problems and Ways Froward'. 

• Dr John Buchanan, Deputy Director of the Australian Centre for Industrial Relations Research and Training, discussed 'From Skill Shortages to Sustainable Work - New directions for developing and deploying the workforce'.

• Peter Noonan, of Peter Noonan Consulting, spoke on 'Overview and Preliminary Analysis from National Industry Skills Reports'.

Three other presentations were also given:

• Ageing Australia  and the education and training sector: Dehne Taylor, Department of Treasury

• Skilled Migration: Helping to meet Australia's skill needs: Greg Mills, Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs

• NSSS Projects: Industry Findings: Ron Burns, Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

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Workshops held during the afternoon of the Forum provided the opportunity to bring insights from industry projects and draw on the combined experiences of participants to develop a coordinated approach to further address skills needs and gaps.  The workshop themes cover:

•  innovation in skills development;

• support for industry in identifying and addressing skills shortages;

• better labour market intelligence and better planning; and

•  effective marketing of skill shortage occupations.

If you require more information on The National Skills Forum please email  National Skills Shortages Strategy