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Issue No. 147 | 09 August 2002 |
A Call to Action
Interview: Save Our Souls Unions: Rats With Wings Bad Boss: If The Boot Fits History: Political Bower Birds International: No More Business as Usual Corporate: The Seven Deadly Sins of Capitalism Industrial: Stiffed! Review: Prepare To Bend Satire: Bush Boosts Sharemarket Confidence: Shares his Cocaine Stash
Ten Click Walker 'Unfit for Work' Casino Workers Overtime Jackpot Abbott�s Task Force �Rank Hypocrisy� Shipping Policy Blamed for Reef Damage Combet Pushes Consultative Vehicle Maternity Leave for Pacific Workers Magistrate Endorses Health and Safety Rights Contracts a Thorn in Workers' Side Fringe Success for Workers� Pick
Competitions The Soapbox The Locker Room Week in Review Bosswatch
Labor Council of NSW |
News Dropping The Ball On Training
Industry Training Advisory Boards (ITABs) have been the major avenue through which union and employer representatives could advise government and industry on the training needs of states and territories. Their existence has ensured national uniform training standards are maintained, industry needs are met, and that trainee qualifications are portable throughout the country. But NSW Labor Council's Michael Gadiel says ITABs have now become the latest victims of the Government's quest to attack any organisation through which trade unions operate. "Brendan Nelson is playing politics with the nation's training agenda in a cynical move which will erode the quality and relevance of future training programs," Gadiel says. "Three ITABs have already had to close and more will follow because the Federal Government is abandoning its commitment to sustaining a broad based and portable system of workplace qualification," he says. The NSW Government refused to meet the funding shortfall, which would have involved dedicating an extra $2m to the ITABs on top of the $1m it already contributes. The situation has left many ITABs with little choice but to close their doors. However Gadiel says the union movement is committed to finding a solution to the current funding crisis and is actively looking for ways of enabling the ITABs to continue. Some of the options include amalgamation of various industry ITABs, parred down roles, replacing staff with solo liaison officers, and forming industry training committees similar to those operating under workers compensation legislation. But Gadiel says preservation of the current system is paramount and believes many unions will now start searching for funding from other sources.
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