Union group forms coalition to address skills crisis
23/07/2008(14:50)
The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) is joining forces with employer groups to form a coalition in the hope of addressing the skills crisis in the country.
It has arranged a meeting with the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Australian Industry Group to discuss the country's system of skills development.
The Age newspaper reports that all three groups have agreed to look at employers and workers as "industry partners" in an effort to help build better working relationships.
Sharan Burrow, president of ACTU, told the newspaper that the current skills shortage could "hold back economic progress".
"It makes sense that our training system should be guided by the demands of employers, employees and industry for skills necessary to meet the challenges of the local and global economy in the 21st century," she added.
A recent worldwide survey by recruitment firm Kelly Services, which questioned 19,000 Australians, found that 25 per cent of respondents were unsure about their chosen career.
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