GTA is the national peak body representing the network of over 150 Group Training Organisations (GTOs) employing over 40,000
apprentices and trainees throughout Australia.
14 October 2008
Commonwealth training package a welcome stimulus to economy
and employment
Group Training Australia (GTA), representing the single largest network employing over 40,000
apprentices and trainees today welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement of
significant new training places as part of the response to the global financial crisis.
GTA, Chief Executive Officer, Jim Barron said the move to allocate an additional 56,000 training
places was a sensible response to address the slowing economy.
“The injection of funds into skills development and training will have an expansionary impact on
the economy while quickening the pace of re-skilling in critical areas of labour shortage”.
Jobseekers and displaced workers will benefit from the new structural adjustment category of
training.
The response to date to the Government’s Productivity Places Program demonstrates the
underlying demand for jobs training and the upgrading of skills right across the workforce.
The additional new training places will address the demand from many of those who have missed
out on places in the initial rounds.
Group training organisations, currently employing more than 40,000 apprentices across Australia,
are well placed to play an enhanced role in the skilling and re-skilling of the workforce.
Media Contact:
Bob Bowden, Foresight Communications
02 9241 2811
0412 753 298
bbowden@bowmac.com.au
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