The estimable National Centre for Vocational Education Research has views

NCVER’s submission to the Senate committee considering the Jobs and Skills Australia bills sets out how agencies that went before worked and suggests the Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency, “offers the closest alignment.”

“AWPA’s key functions were to develop sectoral workforce development plans, assess research, consult industry, disseminate information on workforce planning issues and advise on government funding. This arrangement provided the industry with a direct say in Australian government investment in workforce development.”

The coalition abolished the agency in 2014, moving its functions to the Department of Industry. NCVER mentions in passing the coalition-created National Skills Commission, which Labor is abolishing.