The government’s core training reform will continue, but change, if the Opposition wins

The  proposed clusters are intended to be, “groups of aligned industries with a strategic leadership role” which would “forecast and respond to the current and emerging skills needs and workforce challenges of industry.“ They are intended to replace the existing industry reference committees of which there are said to be 67 (CMM December 7).

Labor skills shadow minister Richard Marles, “acknowledges the important work that has already gone into these reforms” and says that the clusters would “link strongly” to the Opposition’s proposed planner, Jobs and Skills Australia.

However Mr Marles adds, under Labor, the clusters will be tripartite, “incorporating voices from unions and businesses, both big and small.”

“It’s crucial that the industrial parties are represented in decision-making roles.”

To which Troy Williams from Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia suggests adding training providers. “The major fault” with the existing government’s model, “is that it disenfranchises training providers in so many ways,” he says.