FA national conference in Sydney this week (October 19 – 21) will chart the future course of the single largest employer of apprentices and trainees in the country: the group training network.

Group Training’s peak body, GTA LTD, is hosting the Conference at Star City, Darling Harbour.

With the theme of Taking the Tradition Forward the Conference will not only celebrate past and present achievements but look to what is required to meet future challenges in an increasingly crowded, competitive and pressurised market.

Coming as it does in the thick of national skills shortages, the 2005 Group Training conference will provide opportunities for the Australian Government and the federal opposition to argue their case. Key industry associations and prominent labour market economists will also be presenting at various stages of the Conference.

The Minister for Vocational and Technical Education, the Hon Gary Hardgrave MP will be delivering the Opening address on Thursday morning, October 20. Opposition Leader, the Hon, Kim Beazley MP, will deliver the Lance Barnard Memorial address on Friday morning.

Whilst the Conference will, for the most part, be concentrating on some weighty national issues, it also intends to entertain its delegates. Channel 7 newsreader and current Dancing with the Stars crowd favourite Ms Chris Bath will be the Conference Master of Ceremonies.

Well known apprentice jockey in a past life and Aussie legend HG Nelson will be the closing speaker at the Conference. HG will bring his own unique perspective to the Conference and all things training.