Australia's skills and workforce development needs

This discussion paper presents research on current issues in relation to productivity and workforce participation, examines issues in relation to future demand from industry, and starts to explore policy options The paper was produced by the Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency to invite stakeholder input on these matters prior to the Agency providing advice to government in late 2012. The Commonwealth Government set up the Agency to undertake research regarding the future nature of work in Australia and to support a new partnership with industry to determine skills and workforce development needs and to improve the productivity of enterprises. The paper takes a long term view of the Australian economy, and uses a range of scenarios to assist in planning for future skills needs. The four scenarios - The Long Boom, Smart Recovery, Terms of Trade Shock, and Ring of Fire - represent possible future outcomes that identify risks and opportunities, as well as the supply and demand for skills and qualifications between now and 2025. The modelling finds that the trend toward higher level skills will continue into the future. Currently, almost 60% of the Australian workforce has post school qualifications. In the future, the proportion holding post school qualifications could increase to be between 65% and 75% of those employed. Demand for qualifications at Certificate III and above is projected to grow by 3% or above per year in all but one scenario. You are invited to provide submissions to the 2012 National Workforce Development Strategy. Your input will help us to identify and explore critical issues in workforce development for Australia to 2025. The deadline for submissions is 27 August 2012. Further information about the submission process and consultation sessions is available on the website www.awpa.gov.au Unless you request otherwise, submissions will be made publicly available via the website. Submissions can be sent to: workforcedevelopment@awpa.gov.au Or mailed to: Submissions, Skills and Workforce Development PolicyAustralian Workforce and Productivity AgencyGPO Box 9839CANBERRA ACT 2601   Image: dcmaster / flick