EP#249 ~ How is Jobs and Skills Australia innovating to solve skills shortages?

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #249
Broadcast date: 15 Oct 2024
Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor
Guests: Professor Barney Glover AO, Jobs and Skills Australia Commissioner

For years surveys have told us that one of the biggest concerns for small businesses in almost every industry is finding the right people with the right skills, to get the job done.

When unemployment statistics are discussed in small business circles it’s not just about the macro-economic number, there is real world impact. A tight labour market impacts on a small business owner differently since they’re the ones who compete for and attract talent, then manage the longer wait times to find, employ and train the people for their business. And when the economy is challenging as it is right now, small businesses would rather pay themselves less than lose their local employees and go through the arduous process of finding more staff.

Despite warnings from advocates, many industries have experienced years of underinvestment in skills, training and institutions. Apprentice completion rates are problematic, some courses were cut or defunded, and the difficulty as a small business owner trying to navigate across state jurisdictions all led to general confusion in the market. Some industry associations tried to resolve the skils shortages in their industry by becoming RTO’s (registered training organisations) but then found themselves dedicating manhours to navigating this complex system. The whole situation was made worse by the COVID pandemic, the departure of migrants and more recently, a drastic cut to international student numbers.

So the Federal Government established Jobs and Skills Australia to bring cohesion to the industry, better access to skills for workers and a simpler system for employers. Their vision is “for the full skills potential of our nation to be realised, resulting in improved workforce participation, productivity, wages and equity.”

This week Small Biz Matters is proud to welcome the Jobs and Skills Commissioner, Professor Barney Glover AO to deep dive into the workforce and skills shortages faced by small businesses and how Jobs and Skills Australia will aim to solve this complex policy and issue.

PEOPLE – Can you tell us a little bit about Jobs and Skills Australia and how you are engaging with the small business community to consider jobs of the future and meeting the shortfall of the skills required for growth?

POLICY - Skilled migrants speak of barriers to work such as requiring local experience get their foot in the door. Is Jobs and Skills Australia looking at innovative ways to link the skills we need with the migrants struggling to find work?

PURPOSE - Tell us about the Jobs and Skills Australia Atlas project. How will it work to solve the difficult problem of matching the needs of regional small businesses and availability of skilled workers?

Professor Barney Glover AO is the Commissioner of Jobs and Skills Australia. Professor Glover began his five-year term as Commissioner in 2024.

Professor Glover is a distinguished academic leader, an accomplished mathematician and mathematics educator with significant experience in developing strong relationships with the vocational education sector. He is well respected for his engagement with First Nations Australians and disadvantaged communities.

He was Vice-Chancellor and President of Western Sydney University for ten years, from 2014-24, and in 2019 was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to tertiary education, professional associations, and cultural organisations. In 2015, Professor Glover was awarded the title of Emeritus Professor for his outstanding leadership whilst Vice-Chancellor of Charles Darwin University from 2009 to 2013. Professor Glover was awarded the title of Emeritus Professor and an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from Western Sydney University in 2024 in recognition of his decade of leadership.

To find out more about Jobs and Skills Atlas resource click HERE