Ahead of National Skills Week tomorrow, Labor is calling on the government to invest more into free skills training for areas in high demand and deliver these courses through TAFE.
Labor Leader Rebecca White said more needs to be done to address skills shortages across the state and get Tasmanians into jobs.
"We know that more than 20,000 people lost their jobs at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and while these numbers are beginning to improve, there are still thousands seeking employment.
"Recent media reports have highlighted the dire need to address workforce skills shortages in aged care, after the federal government's admission about their lack of action
"Labor's Free TAFE Policy, which formed part of our COVID-19 Recovery Package, would provide 5,000 students with qualifications in areas of high skill demand across the state's economy, including in aged care and disability services, as well as hospitality, building and construction.
"The Premier's Economic and Social Recovery Council interim report recommended the government do just this. The government says it has accepted all recommendations from the report, but where is its plan?
"The government needs to do more than hold media events about infrastructure projects it's been planning to start for years, it needs to come up with a plan to create jobs, and adopt the measures Labor has proposed.
"Investing in TAFE courses and training Tasmanians for the jobs of the future, and areas of demand right now, is the right place to start."
Rebecca White
Labor Leader
