Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

This government recognises that the key to long-term productivity growth and greater workforce participation is ensuring that workers have high-quality skills and a high-quality education. That is why, in addition to our investment in schools, we have put over $11 billion into vocational education and training since 2008-09 and we are investing a further $3 billion in skills and training under the Building Australia's Future Workforce package. This package, announced in the budget, focuses on being industry led, working with industry to make sure we are training people in the skills that will get them jobs, partnering with industry to make sure that we meet their needs and that people have the opportunity to take up high-skilled, high-wage jobs in areas that are growing in the economy. Not only is this employment with large companies but it is with small companies and a lot of regional companies. We are investing to make sure that we better match the skills needs of our employers and the opportunities and training of our young people. (Time expired)