Thursday, 20 February 2025

Responses

Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Water) (18:29): There were 18 matters that were raised by members tonight for a variety of ministers. There was one that was directed to me, and it was in relation to apprentices. Although it is unfortunate that Dr Heath is not with us, I feel it necessary to respond to the points that she made. Firstly, it was only in question time today that I made a ministers statement on National Apprenticeship Week, which was only last week, and that contained a number of initiatives that this government has undertaken in relation to the apprenticeship system. We also talked about how there had been a more than 22 per cent increase in apprentices in 2023 compared to 2019–2020. I also talked about the new help desk and the new free apprenticeship employee assistance program. I also mentioned that over 70 per cent of all apprentices are taught in our public TAFE system, and of course we are very proud that we reintroduced the trade certificate. It was absolutely withdrawn by the previous state Liberal coalition when they were in power, and I made its reintroduction into the Victorian training and skills system absolutely necessary. Those certificates, once an apprentice has completed their apprenticeship, are free, so we are pretty excited about that. We are trying to encourage apprentices to actually frame those apprenticeship papers, as you would if you were getting a university degree, and put them in a frame in their family home for display to ensure that there are conversations and talk about their achievements, not to mention reassessing that cultural change that needs to take place, so that TAFE and apprenticeships are an equal first choice with universities.

The other thing is of course that I found it quite interesting that Dr Heath came in here trying to tell me about the manufacturing industry when indeed I spent at least 16 years –16 fairly forceful years – in manufacturing here in Victoria and in particular in the car industry, the truck industry and the component supply industry. So I think I know a little bit about manufacturing, and I think after 8½ years as skills and training minister I might know something about the skills and training system in this state as well.

The other thing that I would like to raise with Dr Heath is that there is also Minister Brooks. Minister Brooks is Minister for Industry and Advanced Manufacturing. In addition to that, I should also let Dr Heath know that in terms of conversations that I have, they are frequent with industry. Even in the last 10 days or so I have met with the Australian Industry Group, the Housing Industry Association, the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and a range of others, and I do so on a regular basis to find out what their membership is saying to them and as a finger on the pulse of what is happening in respect to a range of industries.

I also remind Dr Heath that as minister I also established the Victorian Skills Authority, and I know that the skills authority has a lot of engagement with industry. There are industry advisory groups – I think there are something like 10 – and on top of that there are round tables. I also know that they have been meeting with a whole range of different manufacturing industry organisations, and so they should and that should continue, and I am sure that that offer of assistance and discussion will continue with the Victorian Skills Authority. Also, since I have been minister I have established Apprenticeships Victoria, and fairly recently we also established offices of Apprenticeships Victoria in Morwell and in Geelong.

In addition to that, I still was not happy with the way that the apprenticeship system was operating, and so the former Treasurer Tim Pallas and I established the apprenticeships taskforce. There were 16 recommendations, and many of those have been adopted by this government. We made an announcement of $9 million to assist and support apprentices. We have established apprenticeship support officers to assist not only apprentices but also employers, parents and prospective students. That is not to say there are not still issues there, but part and parcel of the offering from the current federal Labor government is an increase to the apprenticeship rate. I think that would be applauded, because we did find through that taskforce that money is a barrier in terms of young apprentices, so I think that that has been well received. The other thing is the issue in terms of workplace behaviour, and this will continue to be closely monitored. This was raised in the taskforce, and there is work that is underway. Commitments have been provided by the government in respect to the arrangements that need to be modified in respect to the regulators.

All in all, this government is very proud of the way that it has grappled with the issues confronting the apprenticeship system. We work with all stakeholders – apprentices, industry and unions – to ensure that the best outcomes are there for our apprentices and trainees. We connect the dots to ensure a safe and supportive workplace, combined with great training that delivers for apprentices. When apprentices are thriving, businesses thrive and local communities benefit. We understand the importance of working together to support Victorians to embark on a successful career that works for them and that of course works for the Victorian economy.

I thank Dr Heath for raising this issue tonight. It has given me an opportunity on top of my ministers statement in question time today to touch on a few more points with respect to what this government has done, the interventions that it has made and the importance of the apprenticeship system here in Victoria. I am proud to say that in many respects we have been a leader compared to other jurisdictions. They have followed suit in terms of making sure that there is due attention given to the apprenticeship system in this country.

The PRESIDENT: The house stands adjourned.

House adjourned 6:37 pm.