SAM MUGGLETON
The seventh annual National Skills Week launched on Monday, with TAFE Queensland and Worldskills Australia leading the celebration.
Worldskills Australia CEO Brett Judd chaired the event as members of the Queensland Government and TAFE Queensland spoke on Vocational Education and Training (VET).
Emphasis was placed on the importance of VET in the workplace and its prominence at the upcoming Commonwealth Games.
Executive Director of Skills and Employment for the Department of Education, Stephen Koch, spoke on the value that trade based training has on the community.
“This week is dedicated to raising the status of practical and vocational learning. To highlight the talents, skills, career pathways and the value of apprentices and trainees across Australia to the wider public and employers,” Mr Koch said.
The weeks motto of ‘the more you know’ aimed to highlight the lack of public knowledge on the great and vast opportunities that vocational education and training can lead to.
Worldskills Australia CEO Brett Judd identified the large gap that will arise in aged and disability care that can be bridged through VET system integration.
“By 2020, Australia will need approximately 20,000 aged and disability care workers that are fully trained and through VET, we can provide specialist training and equip our valuable young students with the skills necessary to go above and beyond in their field,” Mr Judd said.
TAFE colleges around Queensland and colleges Australia wide will host a number of interactive activities for the public as well as open days throughout the week to encourage and spread greater awareness regarding vocational skills and careers.