The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) and the Tech Council of Australia have agreed on a set of principles that will support employment growth and skills development in the digital and technology fields across the economy. 

The ACTU and Tech Council have endorsed the Federal Government’s commitment to reach 1.2 million tech jobs by 2030 and are working together to achieve this goal. 

Policy ideas will be brought to the Future Industries stream at next week’s Jobs and Skills Summit, which will be chaired by the Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic. 

Minister Husic and Minister for Skills and Training Brendan O’Connor have both highlighted the need for higher ambition and improved cooperation to make sure Australians have the skills they need for the jobs of the future. 

“Australia is facing a skills shortage crisis and we need to better respond to future skills demand and better match taxpayers’ investment in areas of need,” Minister O’Connor said. 

“A robust skills and training sector is critical to driving a productive workforce – this will deliver a stronger economy and more affordable goods and services.”

Minister O’Connor stated that they were keen to see what proposals will be brought to the table at the summit to kick start the economy and get wages moving.

“Putting this talent into Australian business will bring future economic growth and help keep businesses competitive against overseas rivals,” Minister Husic said. 

“It’s tremendous to see this sort of collaboration coming out of our industry roundtables last week ahead of the Jobs and Skills Summit. The summit itself will be an opportunity to examine this proposal and determine agreements to pursue further work to bring these and other ideas to life.”

Minister Husic said he was looking forward to working with all those in the tech sector, including the Australian Computer Society and the Australian Information Industry Association which have long championed the adoption of digital skills.

Ideas expected to be presented as part of the Future Industries stream from the ACTU and Tech Council include modern digital apprenticeships; reforms to the skills, training and immigration systems that benefit employers and workers in the tech sector; and a focus on bringing in more women and under-represented groups. 

Source: Minister for Industry and Science media release. Content has been edited for style and length.

Eliza Sayon

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Eliza is a content producer and editor at Public Spectrum. She is an experienced writer on topics related to the government and to the public, as well as stories that uplift and improve the community.

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