Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Chandler for what is a very important question. Senator Chandler, like those of us on this side of the chamber, understands that a strong vocational and educational training system in Australia is essential to a strong economy. We as a government are ensuring that vocational education and training in Australia is given the profile it deserves. We are committed on this side of the chamber to demonstrating to the Australian people that a VET qualification is just as good as a university degree. We are committed on this side of the chamber to ensuring that we have a system in place that delivers job-ready Australians, with the right skills, to employers. We have a $585 million skills package, which we announced in the budget and the Australian people endorsed at the most recent election, that we are now rolling out across the country.

But our most recent announcement is of course the inaugural Australian careers ambassador, Mr Scott Cam. The Prime Minister and I recently announced Scott Cam as Australia's inaugural careers ambassador. Scott Cam is a household name. He is a former apprentice. He undertook an apprenticeship in carpentry around 40 years ago. He is someone who has gone on to run his own business, employ Australians, employ other apprentices and, of course, achieve success in terms of becoming a household name. What those on the other side have conveniently forgotten is it works across both sides of politics, in particular when it comes to promoting apprenticeships. Scott Cam is uniquely placed to highlight the value, the career opportunities and the success that can be achieved through vocational education and training.