Submission Author Welcomes the Brumby Governments $316 Million Investment in Skills Funding

Melbourne, Australia, September 03, 2008 --(PR.com)-- SansGov welcomes the announcement by Premier Brumby for the implementation of a dedicated program aimed at increasing skills and training in the State of Victoria in order to address current and future workforce demands. The announcement, as the result of the Government’s Skills Reform Review that began with a public discussion paper in April of 2008 and concluded with recommendations and submissions in June of 2008, is recognition of the fact that Victoria is the first State in the country to comprehensively begin tackling the skills crisis.

“As the author of one of the submissions I am pleased to see the Government investing $316 million over the next four years, but I am very pleased that there is recognition that the Government needs to do this in partnership with the education institutions, employers and industry groups. The workforce development initiative is new and dynamic in that it will stimulate and foster demand amongst business and industry, something we called for as the main theme of our own recommendations to the Government.” Said Mr. Tukaki, Director of Government Policy at SansGov and author of the organisations submission and subsequent recommendations.

‘The Skills for Growth program will not only assist business when it comes to training and workforce planning – but it will also provide individual employees with a clear pathway to skills and qualifications. The biggest challenge we have nationwide is the provision of education and skills in a simple and easy to understand framework. As it stands, a number of people and organisations have found it difficult to navigate their away around the system – by making it simpler, the Government will hopefully increase participation rates and foster understanding.” Said Mr Tukaki

“Let’s be clear here – the Victorian Government has seized the initiative and now leads the other States when it comes to skills reform and the national discussion on skills gaps.” Said Mr Tukaki

Matthew Tukaki is Director of SansGov and leads the organizations government policy, advisory and services practice. Matthew is the former General Manager of Education at IT&T Education, former Head of the review into Knowledge and Information Management Strategies at both the Joint House Department of the Parliament of Australia and the Australian Communications Authority, former Head of Government, Knowledge Management and Education at Dattatech Samsung SDS and former Chairman of both the National Skills for Schools program and the Government Policy Advisory Panel.

1. For a copy of the SansGov submission to the Victorian Government on Skills Reform see: www.sansgov.com/skillsreform
2. To see Mr Tukaki’s National Workforce Planning piece see: http://www.openforum.com.au/content/planning-future-need-national-workforce-planning-strategy
3. For comment contact Matthew Tukaki 0449703118 or matthew.tukaki@sansgov.com

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