Employment Minister praises ABLAC
18 December 2009
Left to right: Darren Cocks (Australian Business Limited Apprenticeships Centre/ NSW Business Chamber) Mary Hicks (ACCI) Senator the Hon. Mark Arbib MP and David Michaelis (ACCI)
The Federal Employment Minister, Mark Arbib, praised the frontline work of ABLAC in boosting apprenticeship numbers as he launched the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s report on engaging and retaining disengaged apprentices, “Worth their weight in gold,” at ABLAC’s annual conference
Mr Arbib told a packed conference room that while Australia had come through the global financial crisis better than other nations there had been a significant drop in the uptake of new apprentices as a result. The Minister outlined the impact a similar downturn have caused during the 90s recession and the importance the government placed on keeping apprentice numbers up.
Mr Arbib said that as the economy recovered the skills shortage would return and place increasing pressure for more apprentices in those critical skills areas.
The Minister said ABLAC was performing a vital role in boosting apprentice numbers and expressed the gratitude of the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister for their work.
« Skilled vacancies growing as economy recovers Darren Cocks talks about apprenticeships and traineeships on ABC Radio »