Media Statement - 26th August 2008
Today
the Victorian Government has announced an ambitious and significant
package of reforms aimed at dramatically increasing the number of
people able to access training and upgrade their skills.
The Rudd Government is committed to reforming the nation’s training system to drive productivity growth, increase workforce participation and address skills shortages.
The Rudd Government is committed to establishing a flexible national training system that has meeting the needs of industry and students as its central priority.
The Commonwealth is working cooperatively with State and Territory Governments through the Council of Australian Governments to deliver solutions to the nation's skills shortage.
Only by embracing innovation and reform will we develop the new infrastructure and capabilities required for economic security and continued prosperity.
The Commonwealth will support all jurisdictions that pursue reform in vocational education and training.
There are a number of different ways that the training sector can be reformed to meet the challenges of the future and the needs of individuals, industry and therefore the modern economy.
To ensure that cost is not a barrier to students accessing training, the Commonwealth will support Victoria in the introduction of an Income Contingent Loan (ICL) scheme for government subsidised diploma and advanced diploma students.
The Commonwealth will also meet the administrative costs of the scheme and not charge a loan fee to students.
This will increase access for those without the financial resources, boost the quality of courses and expand the number of places for students.
The Rudd Government understands the need to build a highly skilled workforce to drive productivity and low-inflationary growth in a modern economy.
Under the Productivity Places Program, the Rudd Government is working with training providers to deliver skilled Australians to meet the needs of industry.