A "wake-up call" for better vocational training

The Printing Industries Association of Australia (PIAA) believes the latest review by the Productivity Commission is a much-needed "wake-up call" for Australia in terms of vocational training, and relevant to the skills needs of the packaging and printing sectors.

The five-year productivity review, which assessed factors influencing the country's economic performance over the medium term, found significant training deficiencies.

“The acknowledgement by the commission that vocational training is in ‘disarray’ aligns to what we observe in the printing, packaging and allied sectors," PIAA CEO Andrew Macaulay said.

"Investment by all governments is well down, and the apprenticeship system is in crisis.

"Overall, apprenticeship numbers have collapsed from 500,000 to 275,000 in the last five years. These are lost jobs and lost opportunities for young people and our industries.”

“I’m thrilled education has been highlighted as a key driver of prosperity and benefit to all Australians."

Macaulay believes there is an urgent need for a national system.

"Currently, apprenticeship skills, qualifications and timeframes vary from state to state and territory to territory and businesses have to deal with eight different jurisdictions," he said.

"This is costly, time-consuming and very frustrating.

“We need a national campaign to promote apprenticeships to young people as an exciting path into a job and career.”

“The PIAA welcomes the Commission’s call for a ‘new policy model’. There are many areas that are not working.

"These must be addressed urgently before Australia is left behind."