The Territory, like other parts of Australia, faces significant challenges in building and sustaining a highly skilled and dynamic workforce to take advantage of economic opportunities.
The Territory’s Jobs NT Employment Strategy 2010-12 to grow a skilled workforce set four key targets across skilling the workforce; and workforce planning and business development. I am pleased to report these targets have either been met or considerable progress has been made, with:
more than 24 000 Territorians in training
more than 3000 Indigenous Territorians commencing employment in the past three years
and labour force participation rates that continue to exceed national participation rates.
The Territory Government is now developing the next Employment Strategy to build on this work, with a focus on maximising jobs and supporting businesses to grow through the opportunities presented by a range of major projects.
The role of industry and community stakeholders is important in setting the next framework develop a skilled workforce and working alongside Government to implement it. This Discussion Starter seeks to invite innovative new approaches, as well as confirm existing strategies. The key themes identified in this Discussion Starter have been informed through industry committees, including the training Peak Industry Advisory Group and Gearing up Local Business for Major Projects Taskforce, and through consultations with business and industry on the development of the Regional Migration Agreement.
I invite you to participate by providing comment through stakeholder consultation starting January 2012.
Delia Lawrie MLA
Minister for Business and Employment