
Issue No 89		23 March 2001

LaborNET	Ask Neale	Tool of the Week

News

Training Body Needs $150 Million to Cope with Growth

The ACTU is seeking at least $150 million for Vocational Education and Training in the first year of federal growth funding after a three-year federal funding freeze.

Bill Mansfield, ACTU Assistant Secretary, said that the growth in demand for VET for apprentices and trainees throughout Australia meant that at least $150 million of growth funding was needed from the Federal Government to the States in 2001. Any lesser amount is likely to lead to a further reduction in training opportunities and school leavers being unable to obtain training places, said Mr Mansfield.

"The amount of growth funding in future years will need to take account of a range of factors including on-going demand levels and overall state and federal funding arrangements"

Earlier innovation policy announcements by the Federal Government did not acknowledge the importance of vocational education and training, Mr Mansfield said.

"The ACTU supports the continuation of the Australian National Training Authority. The current failure to reach agreement on growth funding will lead to problems for the national training reform agenda and will cause a serious fall in support for training across Australia.

"Growth in the national skills base must be a joint responsibility of the Federal and State/Territory governments. To meet its share, the Federal government has to commit at least $150 million to growth in the next year."

   Visit the ACTU

  View entire issue - print all of the articles!

  Issue 89 contents

Interview: Paddy Takes the Helm
Irish, internationalist, republican, socialist & seafarer - Paddy Crumlin intends taking the old traditions of the labour left into the 21st century, the community and cyberspace.

Unions: Breaking the Mould
Mark Hearn looks at how women union delegates are helping to change the culture in the traditionally male bastion of glassworking.

Legal: Washing Their Hands
Mark Morey outlines how Liberal neglect of the working visa system has led to exploitation of guest workers.

International: Violence Betrays Shangri-La
Shangri-La hotel union members carrying a coffin marked Robert Kuok have been assaulted and beaten by police in Jakarta.

Economics: Corporations: Different Than You and Me
Corporations are fundamentally different than you and me. That's a simple truth that Big Business leaders desperately hope the public will not perceive.

History: The Steel Octopus
Be prepared for a flood of Nostalgia from the media about the �Big Australian�, as it prepares to flee our shores and finally internationalise its digging operations. Workers won�t forget BHP�s less than worker friendly past and present (and no doubt it�s future).

Review: Mean Nation
John Allen charts the fall and fall of philanthropy in Australian society.

Satire: Ryan 'A Big Wake-Up Call For Me': Beazley
The narrow victory to Labor in the Ryan by-election has delivered a big slap in the face to Leader of the Opposition Kim Beazley.

» Abbott and �Drinking Buddy� Under Microscope

» Working Visas: Ruddock Sells Dump to Abbott

» Tourist Guides Bussed In

» Fair Wear Holds Breath as Carr Celebrates

» Labor to Restore Public Sector�s Dignity

» Its Time for Carr to Act on Safey on Building Sites

» Bread Maker Slices Workforce

» Workers Show Grace Under Pressure

» Engineers Win BHP Redundancy Case

» Transport Drug Pushers Not Charged

» Training Body Needs $150 Million to Cope with Growth

» HIH Urged To Safeguard Employee Entitlements

» Carr Proposal For Public Schools Flawed

» Human Smirk Returns to Spiritual Home

» McGauchie Appointment Draws MUA Fire

» Bove Loses McDonald's Raid Appeal

» James Hardie Called to Account

» Australasian Union Organising Conference

» Activist Notebook