Shadow Minister for employment and workplace relations, Brendan O’Connor recognised the strong incentive that skills education has in producing a more skilled workforce and was an important step for the printing and packaging industry.
Printing Industries Finance Manager Matt Schembri yesterday met with Shadow Minister Brendan O’Connor to ensure the voice of employer’s within the Printing Industry is heard when it comes to Labor policies.
“We discussed the urgent need for Federal investment in education initiatives that encourage school leavers into the trades, investment in vocational training, and support for employers as they take on apprentices. The print and packaging industry is the largest employer in the manufacturing sector, offering stable careers, life-long learning, and transportable skills. All significant benefits in a modern economy, and predominantly driven by SME’s” was Matt’s summary of PIAA’s successful meeting with the Shadow Minister. “We will have a follow up meeting, and pursue these policy positions for the benefit of members. It was pleasing to see Brendan acknowledge the substantial investment made by employers in training and skilling of employees and that he recognises you cannot be pro-worker without being pro-employer. It is also good to see the federal opposition is committed to ensuring the printing industries is supported through improving in skills and educational training and has recognised the major economic contribution made by the industry”, said Matt Schembri. PIAA is pleased that the Shadow Minister wants to engage with employers, and has offered to facilitate industry engagement in regional production centres as well as capital cities.