Speeches
Tuesday, 23 July 2024
National Apprentice Employment Network Conference
Rod and I are delighted to welcome you to Government House, and in particular our guests from interstate.
As Governor I am always pleased to be able to lend my support to the apprentice training and employment sector and do so today in my role as patron of the Apprentice Employment Network in South Australia.
An audience such as this needs no reminding of the importance of training a relevant, engaged, and motivated workforce as we reorient our priorities to grow our nation.
Through your myriad roles, you are at the forefront of tackling the vital issues for the skills training and employment of apprentices.
Here in South Australia, over the next five years it is estimated that about 90,500 vocational education and training qualifications will need to be delivered to meet demand for skills.
Undoubtedly, we need to upskill more young people and encourage more to choose and value a Vocational Education pathway.
This was a discussion we had as a family over a decade ago.
Our eldest daughter with the bravado of youth suddenly announced that she wasn’t going to finish the university degree she had started. She was going to TAFE.
Expecting something of a parental backlash, she seemed somewhat taken aback that Rod and I were encouraging and had no objection whatsoever.
She has since gone on to a successful event management career and is now deputy director of sport for the Royal Airforce in the UK.
Undoubtedly, she and our young people are entering a changing world.
Against the backdrop of rapid changes brought about by globalisation, technological advancements, including automation, it is predicted that nine out of 10 jobs will require a post-school qualification.
Apprenticeships and traineeships, alongside migration, will be crucial to addressing skills shortages and investing in our future.
Recent media reports suggest that more businesses are seeking older workers and those living with disability to meet a skills shortfall.
That not only brings experience and new skill sets to the workforce, but it also brings welcome diversity.
Skill shortages aside and while not wishing to be too parochial, as I am sure there will be similar trends in other States, this is an exciting time for young people in South Australia to be considering their long-term careers.
The AUKUS submarine and other defence industry projects, investments in hydrogen and other renewable energies, the need for care workers to support an ageing population and construction workers to support the demand for housing are all presenting great career opportunities.
We will also need software and applications programmers, electricians, carpenters, and truck drivers, early childhood educators and healthcare workers.
In South Australia, the recently released Skills Plan is focused on developing highly adaptable skilled people who contribute to a thriving State and are supported by a connected skills system.
To support the pipeline of skilled workers, the State Government is building five technical colleges to prepare school students for the workforce in areas of high-skill demand.
A vital component in the solution will be the contribution of Group training organisations in supporting apprenticeships and traineeships.
I understand that value-add measures that are provided to apprentices, trainees and employers in upfront assessment, access to resources and mentoring are proven to increase the likelihood of someone completing their training contract.
Friends,
I congratulate the National Employment Network for recently celebrating its 30th anniversary, and through its network employing some 25,000 apprentices and trainees across Australia.
I wish you well for your conference and thank all those involved in its staging.
Coming together provides the opportunity to explore innovative ideas, gain insights into trends and importantly to network.
Thank you for your on-going contributions to the sector and may you always give people “Skills for Life.”