VETASSESS Allyship Conference

Good morning.

I’d like to start by acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land you’re meeting on today and pay my respects to their elders past and present.

It’s my pleasure to join you today, albeit virtually, to reflect on the work of the past few years – to ensure Australia meets the skills challenges and opportunities we face – and look more closely at the work still to come.

It’s a priority for the Albanese Government, and I know it’s a priority for all of you in the room.

I’d like to thank all those who’ve organised today’s conference, and in particular:

• Sharan Burrow AC, Chair of Bendigo Kangan Institute
• Sally Curtain, CEO of Bendigo Kangan Institute
• Dr Mamta Chauhan, Executive Director of VET ASSESS
• Dr Sushil Kumar, Consul-General of India, Melbourne.

While the opening of the new Parliament means I can’t join you in person, I look forward to hearing about the discussions you have today and the feedback you may have for me.

This month I mark one year as the Minister for Skills and Training.

Undoubtedly the highlight for me of this time has been the opportunity to meet with so many people – people of all ages, young and old, in cities and in regional and rural Australia, each setting out on their journey to new skills and unlock new possibilities.

Becoming a nurse or carer.

Building homes for Australians.

Working in manufacturing or technology.

Training the next generation.

This sector holds many of the solutions to the challenges Australia faces today —especially the urgent need to address skills shortages in critical industries.

The work we do is not just about education; it's about shaping the future of our workforce and our nation.

The challenge for us all is to encourage people to take up these opportunities, which can be incredibly rewarding both personally and professionally.

Only a couple of weeks ago I met Jackie, a plumber from Melbourne – at the launch of one of our Building Women’s Careers programs.

For Jackie, school just wasn’t the right fit.

In plumbing, she found a career and a passion.

Jackie’s also a proud advocate for more women to join her profession – as a mum herself to two young kids, she wants women to know working in a trade like plumbing can go hand in hand with raising a family.

The Albanese Government wants to see more Australians – like Jackie - taking up the abundance of opportunities before us.

When we came to office in 2022, Australia was facing the worst skills shortage in more than half a century.

We moved quickly to act and turn around the damage done by the previous government, when they tore billions of dollars out of the VET sector by the previous government.

And we haven’t wasted a day in these past three years.

Our landmark National Skills Agreement is central to turning the tide.

To deliver the skills our country needs.

To ensure our VET system provides high quality and accessible education and training.

To support workers to future-proof their careers by gaining the skills they need for good, well-paid, secure jobs.

And to put public TAFE at the heart of the VET sector.

We know Free TAFE is transforming lives – with around 600,000 enrolments and counting.

We established Jobs and Skills Australia, to ensure governments and industry are getting the best advice for what our labour market needs to look like now and into the future.

We’re investing $50 million in upgrades to TAFE facilities through our TAFE Technology Fund – and introducing TAFE Centres of Excellence right across the country, providing specialised training in the critical areas of health, manufacturing, clean energy, housing and defence.

Looking ahead, I am extremely focused on how our skills sector can contribute to our agenda to lift productivity.

The Treasurer has already outlined his five pillars for this work, of which building a skilled and adaptable workforce is one.

We’re pulling all the levers we have – including looking at how we can best bring together our skills and migration systems.

Last year, we outlined changes to help attract migrants who will make a significant contribution to our economy.

This was done to ensure we’re filling key gaps in the labour market, and making the most of the skillsets of those already in Australia.

On top of that, our Advanced Entry Trades Training program – announced during the election – will recognise prior learning, to get those who already have the skills we’re looking for, into work.

Because we want – and need – everyone to be a part of solving the skills shortages we face, in a world where the nature of work is changing at pace.

These challenges are complex. But they’re also achievable. Particularly when we work together.

That’s why forums like the Allyship Conference are important, to draw on each other’s experiences and insights.

To reflect on best practice, and opportunities for improvement.

To recognise that skilling – and reskilling – is good for individuals, for workplaces and for our economy.

Thank you for coming together today to discuss what this future looks like and how we can keep building Australia’s economy with opportunities for all.