New Ministerial Industry Commission ready to start training reform

Newly-invited members of the Ministerial Industry Commission met for the first time today to champion positive change in Queensland’s vocational education and training (VET) system.

Education, Training and Employment Minister John-Paul Langbroek opened the meeting and welcomed the eight new members who join Commission Chair Saxon Rice, Assistant Minister for Technical and Further Education.

Mr Langbroek said the tired 20 year old Labor Government had refused to listen to Queensland business about the skills and training needed in high priority industries, that’s why the Newman Government has acted and brought together this very knowledgeable group of people to help get Queensland back on track.

“Through the Commission, industry and employers across Queensland can have a direct influence on the priority of every government-subsidised qualification,” he said.

“The eight invited Commission members will draw on their skills and expertise in labour market economics, human resources management and marketing and communications.

“They include people who have founded businesses, pioneered economic modelling, chaired prominent business and industry boards, excelled academically, and are leaders in their field.

“The Newman Government will partner with this highly experienced leadership group as well as the Queensland community to help guide our state toward a more prosperous future through training excellence,” Mr Langbroek said.

Assistant Minister Rice was appointed as the commission chair in June with the release of the Great skills. Real opportunities five year plan.

“I am thrilled to be given this wonderful opportunity to invigorate Queensland’s vocational education and training system which failed under the Beattie/Bligh governments,” she said.

“Industry engagement is critical for effective policy development as well as the delivery of positive outcomes for industry, employers, government, training providers and workers.

“Lazy Labor’s ‘just throw money at it’ approach didn’t work.  In contrast the Newman Government is taking a targeted approach and is listening to the people who have the experience and commitment to delivering quality training in Queensland.”

The Minister has invited the following members to the new Ministerial Industry Commission:

o   Mr Martin Albrecht, Chair of the Wesley Research Institute Board

o   Mr Trevor Evans, Chief Executive Officer of the National Retailers Association

o   Ms Megan Lilly, Director Education and Training for the Australian Industry Group

o   Professor John Mangan, The School of Economics, The University of Queensland

o   Mr Chris Murphy, Director of Independent Economics

o   Mr Michael Roche, Chief Executive Officer of the Queensland Resources Council

o   Mr Brad Teys, Chief Executive Officer of Teys Australia

o   Mr Martin Winter,Chief Executive Officer of the Gold Coast Tourism Corporation

[ENDS] 14 November 2013

Media contact: Danita Goodwin 0439 886 652