Group Training Australia (GTA) in conjunction with Ballarat Group Training (BGT) and Kaewana Constructions will host a visit from Senator Judith Troeth, Wednesday 22 February. GTA and BGT will introduce Senator Troeth to a number of BGT apprentices, including BGT’s outstanding 3rd year carpentry apprentice, Mr Riki Cooper.

Mr Riki Cooper’s host employer, Kaewana Constructions has earned an outstanding reputation for the quality of their construction and their progressive approach to energy efficient housing. In a time of skills shortages, Kaewana Constructions visionary approach in hosting apprentices is most welcome.

“GTA Ltd welcomes the Senators visit. We are keen to highlight the many positive aspects of the Group Training Network. The Network is known for its diversity and delivery of innovative and responsive training and employment strategies in the community. Senator Troeth will see these attributes in action when she visits Ballarat Group Training,” Jim Barron the CEO of GTA said.

“Riki Cooper is an extremely capable apprentice, the GTA network is filled with similar success stories. We hope that by talking to our Nation’s leaders, more success stories will emerge as a result of greater government understanding of further investment in apprenticeships,” Mr Barron said.

“2006 is an important year for the Group Training Network. We are looking forward to working with government, business and schools to address Australia’s response to the current national skills shortage. I am encouraged by Senator Troeth’s visit and her commitment in the area of vocational training,” Mr Barron said.

GTAs latest research paper, Getting it Right: what employers and apprentices have to say about apprenticeships, in conjunction with Dusseldorp Skills Forum and Australian Industry Group, highlight the need for government to continue to invest in skilling Australia’s workforce.

“Particular points group training representatives will be highlighting to Senator Troeth include: the need to invest further in training infrastructure, the need to back our young people’s capabilities, the need to bolster the group training arrangements, and additional funding to high skill apprenticeships,” Mr Barron said.

For further information regarding the Getting it Right policy document, please visit:
http://www.grouptraining.com.au/about_gtraining/national_projects/nat_skills_shortages/getting_it_right.html

ENDS