³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾

The Liberal government must address Tasmania’s
skills shortage if its infrastructure program is to succeed.

Shadow
Minister for TAFE, University and Skills Michelle O’Byrne said Labor’s Free
TAFE policy must be adopted to
ensure Tasmanian workers come first in the promised infrastructure revival.

“The Liberals are good at making record
announcements, but their record of delivery is poor,” Ms O’Byrne said.

“The government’s
infrastructure package is
welcome and needed, but it cannot succeed unless it has a Tasmanian skilled
workforce behind it to see it through.

“Before the
pandemic, employers were crying out for skilled workers, with many resorting to
flying skilled workers in to the state and showing they were increasingly dissatisfied with the training
system.

“As we start
coming out the other side of the COVID-19 crisis, this shortage must be
addressed, along with the training deficiencies.

“We need to
upskill workers, retrain those who have lost work as a result of the pandemic
and provide pathways for young school leavers.

“Tasmania’s
TAFE system has the potential to be the training engine room of the economy,
driving qualifications and employment.

“Labor’s $10 million policy to provide
free TAFE courses in key industries facing skills shortages is a clear opportunity
to provide the training needed to make that happen.

By making TAFE courses more
accessible we can make real progress on Tasmania’s recovery, building back some of
the jobs lost to COVID-19 whilst getting locals into work

“To do that we need to buy local, build local and employ local. I again urge them to adopt Labor’s policy for the good of the state and all Tasmanians.

Michelle O’Byrne MP

Shadow Minister for TAFE, University and Skills