The Assistant Minister for Education and Training, Senator Simon Birmingham, recently announced that Australian employers and industry will be placed at the heart of a new approach to the development of vocational education and training products.

This is part of the Government’s ongoing program of VET Reform, recognising that in a in an increasingly competitive, globalised and technologically-advanced economy, Australian industry needs skills training that meets the demands of modern workplaces.

The overhaul in the way training packages and products are developed is all about responding to the needs of industry, to boost economic growth, business productivity and employment outcomes.

“As the Minister responsible for vocational education and training I have placed a priority on finalising a new model for training product development, with Australian industry taking the lead, because it is employers who best know what skills and competencies they need in their current and future employees.” Senator Birmingham said.

The announcement comes after a period of consultation with key industry stakeholders and a public discussion paper. The next steps are to implement Industry Reference Committees who can deveop and review training product appropriate for their workforce needs.

More information can be found on the Department of Education and Training’s website.