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Justice Iain Ross AO and Ms Lisa Paul AO PSM
I have been involved in apprenticeship policy and program for going on, 45 years and longer if I count the practical experience of the equivalent of several years of working for my father as a 'brickies labourer'. My career at one end encompasses working on the policy development of traineeships for the Kirby Inquiry (1983) and over the last 7 years being a member of Jobs Queensland, the VET policy advisor to the Queensland Government. In recognition of my contribution I was awarded a 'Lifetime Achievement Award' at the 2015 Australian Training Awards.
My long experience has allowed me to think deeply about the apprenticeship system including its strengths but also its on-going and emerging challenges.
My conclusion is that incentives alone will be less than optimal in addressing the inadequacy of the apprentice intake, poor and declining completion rates, quality and opportunities for school leavers and for the upskilling of older workers. Together these issues have led to ongoing skill shortages in many of the trades for at least the last 20 years.
My focus is on a number of structural issues that must be addressed. I would encourage you to use at least some of the incentive funds to look at new designs and pathways that complement the current system. In my view without these complementary arrangements we will not meet our skill trade requirements into the future.