Expert panel to advise Government on $40m National Trade Cadetship Initiative
Peter Garrett
posted Tuesday, 23 August 2011
A new advisory panel of leading education and training experts will provide the Gillard Government with recommendations on the development and implementation of the National Trade Cadetship (NTC) and Indigenous Ranger Cadetship initiatives, School Education Minister Peter Garrett said today.
The panel, led by chair Professor Denise Bradley, will advise the Government on the best ways to ensure that students who want to pursue a vocation or trade are offered high-quality, nationally consistent learning pathways in schools.
“The Gillard Government has committed $3.1 million for the initial development of the NTC initiative and $37.5 million over 3 years for the workplace experience component to support this important initiative,” Mr Garrett said.
“We’re also investing $4.1 million over 3 years for the Indigenous Ranger Cadetship initiative, giving indigenous students the opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge they need to become rangers with nationally recognised qualifications.”
Mr Garrett said Professor Bradley and the panel members have extensive experience in national education policy and vocational education and training.
“The Australian Government has brought together the most experienced and well respected experts from within their field from industry, education, unions, vocational education training sector and Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander peoples,” he said.
“This will help us immensely as we start to roll out the NTC initiative next year.
“Under the NTC students from Year 9 will be able to undertake vocational education as an option under the National Curriculum. There will be a focus on pre-apprenticeship pathways for students in years 11 and 12 and these will be delivered through the Trade Training Centres and other accredited training providers.
“As well as this, students will have the opportunity to take part in a work experience component delivered by group training organisations, providing on-the-job experience and exposure to the world of work.
“The Gillard Government is committed to building Australia’s skilled workforce, and that commitment begins in schools. The NTC scheme is on top of the $2.5 billion we’re spending on providing industry-standard Trade Training Centres, giving every high school student access to a quality vocational education.”
The members of the National Trade Cadetship Advisory Panel are listed below