Ms WALKER - 2008-09-16
With the Territory economy experiencing such strong growth and unemployment at the lowest rate on record, can the minister please outline why training Territorians is one of the highest priorities for the Henderson government?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nhulunbuy for her question because she knows that the electorate of Nhulunbuy has opportunities for economic development with the Alcan Mine.
This is an important question. We know that accessible and appropriate training leads to long-term stable employment for all Territorians.
I have often said in this House that one of the greatest challenges for this government is putting in appropriate, but effective, training particularly in our remote and regional areas for Indigenous Territorians so that training then leads to employment in their communities. That will continue to be a challenge, but a challenge that the Henderson government is certainly up for.
With Jobs Plan 1, 2 and 3, we are on track in 2008 to meet the target of 10 000 trainees and apprentices. I know the Leader of the Opposition, and I will say it before he jumps up, always talks about the completion rates. I can tell the Leader of the Opposition that he was told very clearly by competent people from the department that we are within the national average for completion rates for our apprentices and trainees.
I am sure everyone in this House knows someone who has come to Darwin with loose change in their pockets, and has had an opportunity to work and gone on to build a better life and make something of themselves.
As a government, we are committed to ensuring our young people have the necessary skills to compete for the best employment opportunities. I am sure there are members in this House who have visited Taminmin High School, for example, and seen the fantastic work of that school and the Principal, Tony Considine. Everyone must applaud his work and vision as principal to give those young people the opportunity of getting the right training and the skills to go on to employment.
The strong economic management of the Henderson government means training does lead to employment because of our responsible management of the economy. It provides business with the confidence to take on increasing numbers of staff. I have said before, the incentives that we provide to businesses, such as BuildSkills and the Workwear/Workgear Bonus gives all Territorians the opportunity to find the right trade or job for them.
We gave a commitment that, in 2009, we will set a new target of a further 10 000 apprentices and trainee commencements.
In terms of the regions, Building Stronger Regions, the commitment from the Henderson government is to take Employment out of the Department of Employment, Education and Training and put it, rightly so, with the new Department of Business and Employment. We need to stimulate our regions and encourage economic development.
We are on target to ensure that not just Territorians in our urban towns but Territorians in the bush and in the regions benefit from our strong economy.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nhulunbuy for her question because she knows that the electorate of Nhulunbuy has opportunities for economic development with the Alcan Mine.
This is an important question. We know that accessible and appropriate training leads to long-term stable employment for all Territorians.
I have often said in this House that one of the greatest challenges for this government is putting in appropriate, but effective, training particularly in our remote and regional areas for Indigenous Territorians so that training then leads to employment in their communities. That will continue to be a challenge, but a challenge that the Henderson government is certainly up for.
With Jobs Plan 1, 2 and 3, we are on track in 2008 to meet the target of 10 000 trainees and apprentices. I know the Leader of the Opposition, and I will say it before he jumps up, always talks about the completion rates. I can tell the Leader of the Opposition that he was told very clearly by competent people from the department that we are within the national average for completion rates for our apprentices and trainees.
I am sure everyone in this House knows someone who has come to Darwin with loose change in their pockets, and has had an opportunity to work and gone on to build a better life and make something of themselves.
As a government, we are committed to ensuring our young people have the necessary skills to compete for the best employment opportunities. I am sure there are members in this House who have visited Taminmin High School, for example, and seen the fantastic work of that school and the Principal, Tony Considine. Everyone must applaud his work and vision as principal to give those young people the opportunity of getting the right training and the skills to go on to employment.
The strong economic management of the Henderson government means training does lead to employment because of our responsible management of the economy. It provides business with the confidence to take on increasing numbers of staff. I have said before, the incentives that we provide to businesses, such as BuildSkills and the Workwear/Workgear Bonus gives all Territorians the opportunity to find the right trade or job for them.
We gave a commitment that, in 2009, we will set a new target of a further 10 000 apprentices and trainee commencements.
In terms of the regions, Building Stronger Regions, the commitment from the Henderson government is to take Employment out of the Department of Employment, Education and Training and put it, rightly so, with the new Department of Business and Employment. We need to stimulate our regions and encourage economic development.
We are on target to ensure that not just Territorians in our urban towns but Territorians in the bush and in the regions benefit from our strong economy.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016