Patron - Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia
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.
30 July 2009
GTA welcomes 50,000 new green jobs and training
opportunities
Group Training Australia (GTA), the single largest network employing over 40,000
apprentices and trainees,
today welcomed the
announcement by the Prime
Minister of 50,000 new green jobs, apprenticeships and traineeships to help young
people learn new skills during the economic downturn and drive a new green
economy.
GTA Chief Executive Officer, Jim Barron, said the announcement will allow young
people to lead the way towards a highly skilled, low-carbon economy.
“We applaud these new measures that will not only help young people gain
sustainable skills during the downturn, but also set them up for a bright future.
“Before you can ‘green’ the economy, you have to ‘green’ the education and
training system, and this announcement will take us a step further towards that
goal.
“The skilling of 30,000 apprentices and trainees
including electricians, plumbers
and mechanics in sustainable products and practices will further advance efforts to
create a low carbon economy in Australia.”
The 50,000 places will be made up of:
10,000 places in a new National Green Jobs Corps – 26 weeks of green job
training and work for out-of-work 18-24 year olds
30,000 apprentices and trainees learning green skills competencies through
a new National Green Skills Agreement
4,000 disadvantaged jobseekers working in the current insulation program
6,000 local green jobs in priority communities
“By folding
sustainable skills into apprenticeships
and traineeships,
we can
develop a highly-skilled and environmentally aware workforce
that can implement
real changes in the way Australian’s work and live.
MEDIA RELEASE
“However it is important that we have enough quality teachers to support
sustainable skills training
and introduce the latest technologies and practices
through effective training packages.”
GTA looks forward to working with the government, Industry Skills Councils and
other key stakeholders to ensure all relevant competencies are effectively
embedded into training packages before January 2010.
Media Contact:
Bob Bowden, Foresight Communications
02 9241 2811, 0412 753 298, bbowden@bowmac.com.au
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