Skill Development is an employment program that provides monetary support to qualified people, to help them acquire the skills training they require to go into the labor market. The program also offers financial support to suitable people who require skills development to get employment.
There are many problems and challenges that arise from this issue. For instance the working conditions of young workers pose a serious problem. Lack of training, harassment and lack of relaxing hours are problems being faced by numerous young workers all over the world. In Australia, the Australian Labor Party and the Australian council of Trade Unions say that the young workers get a “raw contract.”
The skill development for young workers in Australia is an issue that has caught the attention of many people. Shadow Minister for Employment and Training, Anthony Albanese, claims that young workers are exploited and used as cheap labor. He continues to say that the Federal Government has failed to act against employers who swindle young workers.
The skills development for Australian industry and young workers is one of the most serious issues facing the nation today (Ross 2002, p. 68). The Australian Council of Trade Unions compliance to the existing Senate Inquiry into present and future skills needs highlights the fundamental role that skill development plays to the community and the economy. There are problems with the outcomes and the quality of training delivery.
Training delivery is not at all times integrated with the industry needs, the skills development and the employment outcomes. Numerous young workers are disenfranchised from training and education and as a result they are experiencing marginalization in the labor-market. The needs of young workers for skills development and training are also not being addressed efficiently.
In the year 2001, only 80% of young workers in Australia attained a Year 12 or VET qualification. The relatively low level of skill development limits the chances of many young workers in Australia for economic independence and robs industry of inestimable abilities.
Australia needs to increase its skill development effort for the existing young workers. Numerous industries have low levels of skills development expenditure.The Australian Council of Trade Unions recommends that at least $350 million should to be allocated to a new workplace-based skill development fund that is more suitable for training existing young workers (Stinson 2005, p. 127).
This financial support is supposed to be applied in contracted target areas, including skill scarcities, upcoming and growth areas and organizations with low-rates of structured training.
Often, young people report problems at their place of work including, lack of information regarding terms and conditions of employment, bullying, maltreatment and sexual harassment. Skill development for young workers in Australia is crucial because young workers should acquire new skills due to the changing workplace and also to meet the requirements for the new and growing industries (Stinson 2005, p. 57).
Employers ought to be committed to establish skill development in their workforce and contribute substantially to the expenditure of structured workforce training. Skill development is valuable for young workers: they acquire the needed confidence to carry out their duties.
The government has come up with strategies in addressing this issue. For example, the New Apprenticeship project is offering opportunities for young workers to obtain skills training and development because the workplace is changing and the industries are growing. The government has also come up with laws that young workers in Australia against bullying, sexual harassment and maltreatment.
The employers are required to contribute significantly to the skill development costs and establish effective skill development projects (Stinson 2005, p. 97). Young workers are experiencing marginalization in the labor-market due to lack of inadequate skills training and development. The government is establishing structured training which ought to be undertaken in line with a contracted workplace training plan.
The ACTU proposes to implement a program with training representatives to encourage union members to undertake learning and training and to help young workers with learning difficulties by endorsing fundamental skills programs in the work-place.
The government is also raising awareness among young workers about the benefits of structured industry training and skill development (Stinson 2005, p. 67). This is being done through promoting negation between young workers and employers for the execution of workplace skill development plans, including mechanisms that enable appropriate account of the recognition of existing competencies.
The government has also established an association between employees and bodies like industry advisory bodies and registered training agencies to support structured training and skill development at the workplace and enable young workers to participate effectually within workplace appraisals and skills, to develop and negotiate skills development plans and undertake workplace evaluation.
In 2011, the government of Australia came up with strategies to assist existing young workers to acquire skill development and career opportunities through acknowledgment of their existing skills and advancing their skills base (Stinson 2005, p. 45). They also ensured accessibility of quality nationally recognized skills training and qualifications for all young workers.
The government has established many employment agencies to address the issue of skill development for young workers in Australia because the future of rising industries depends on it. It has ensured increased support for young workers with disabilities in traineeships and apprenticeships. It has also increased the participation of Indigenous young people in the labor-market.
The greatest objective of the government is to fund the skill development programs in the country so that young workers can obtain skills training. Without adequate financial support, it is difficult to execute the structured skill training plans (Richardson 2000, p. 231). Even though the government has initiated different strategies to improve the issue concerning skill development, there are areas that require substantial attention.
For example, there are problems when it comes to the quality of skills training delivery and end results. Training delivery is not responsive to industry needs, work outcomes and skills development. As a result, the industries in Australia are continuing to experience skills shortages and retention difficulties. Quality training focusing on skills development ought to commence. Training should focus on developing the skills of young workers.
The government of Australia needs to increase its training effort in skill development for the current workforce. Numerous industries in the country have low levels of training expenses (Price 2011, p. 356). Only two in ten employers are presently training to address skills shortages.
Skills development for young people is very imperative because it is the future for the industries and the economy of Australia. Young people should be conversant with what is going on in the existing industries because the workplace is changing. Skill development for young workers is a critical issue facing Australia. Many young people need to be trained so that they can take part in developing the industries and the economy of their country.
Young workers are facing discrimination and bullying in the place of work and many employers have turned into swindlers. Many young workers are not economically independent because they do not have the required training. This is as a result depriving industries of valuable skills. There ought to be vocational training and effective work-based learning. Increase in skills training effort is also needed for the existing young laborforce.
Priority ought to be given to mutual planning covering industry sectors in areas of young workers hire, contracts and regular employment (Hunt 2005, p. 97). The government of Australia is dedicated to ensuring that young workers are taking part in making decisions that have an effect on their lives.
The youth action plan outlines the significance of ensuring the contribution of young workers in decision making and delivering quality services (Jimenez 2006, p. 123). Skill development agencies ought to come up with ways that attracts and retains young workers to facilitate laborforce sustainability and ensure that the services of the government are receptive to the needs of young workers.
The government has recognized young workers’ rights to contribute in the growth of skill development programs, policies and services. The government is building on young workers’ knowledge and skills, recognizing their diversity, their backgrounds and their situations.
The government plan is to ensure that young workers’ skills are well-developed and they are effectually utilized in the workforce (Ross 2002, p. 45). The office of youth in Australia has worked with young workers to develop an account that focuses on training, skill development and mobility.
The government agencies target on improving the situation of young workers in Australia and promoting the employment benefits in the public sector. The agencies are also identifying young workers in Australia; they give them an opportunity to develop their skills.
References
Jimenez, E 2006, Australia reconstructed: ACTU/TDC Mission to Western Europe, Australian Govt. Pub. Service, Hobart.
Hunt, I 2005, The New Industrial Relations in Australia, Federation Press, Melbourne.
Price, R 2011, Young People and Work, Ashgate Publishing, Canberra.
Ross, L 2002, Works Councils in Australia: Future Prospects and Possibilities, Federation Press, New Castle.
Richardson, S 2000, Reshaping the Labour Market: Regulation, Efficiency and Equality in Australia, Cambridge University Press, New Castle.
Stinson, R 2005, Job Prospects Australia, Yorkcross Pty Ltd, Darwin.