“At an absolute minimum given the current fiscal challenges, it is essential that the planned 10+10+5% wage subsidy for those on the priority list be converted immediately to a 25% wage subsidy for year 1, as this addresses the need to keep commencements up.
“We also continue to make the case for a widening and streamlining of the opportunity to sponsor migrants in all skilled occupations; the extension of the refunding of visa fees to Working Holidaymakers; and the maintenance of the temporary relaxation of student visa work limits so that international students can work more than 40 hours a fortnight at least until the workforce is replenished.”
Quotes from Dean Long, CEO of AFTA:
“Most of our members are still navigating vacancy rates of 30% plus in front-line positions and AFTA has and will continue to invest in making sure those making the decisions at a political and policy level understand what the problems are and what we need to fix them.”
“We recommend that the Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System operates for the next two years with a wage subsidy of 30% for 12 months for both trade apprenticeships as well as 2-year traineeships, and for 6 months for one-year traineeships.” Although retention of apprentices is also an important policy objective, the second and third-year wage subsidies are not going to make a material impact on retention as it is not the cost to employer that is the key barrier to retention.”
“This is the work AFTA has and will continue to undertake to benefit our members and our sector.”
“No base funding should be tied to an apprenticeship priority list during our current skills crisis.
Ahead of the Federal Government’s Jobs and Skills Summit on 1-2 September, AFTA continues to meet with key decision makers at a political and policy level to reinforce awareness and preferred solutions.
“The National Party over the weekend passed a resolution calling on the establishment of rules for state border closures in response to a motion from the Victorian members. As part of this, AFTA’s access to key influencers through the Federal Labor Business Forum and the Nationals Corporate Program amplifies the benefit of AFTA’s ongoing meetings with key Ministers, Treasury, and relevant Departments as well as key Members of Parliament and Senators across the pollical spectrum.
“This is especially important in the context of the Federal Government’s National Jobs and Skills Summit and in ensuring that there is a wide understanding of the value and plight of Australia’s Travel Sector. If a priority list is to remain, visitor economy occupations should be on the list due to the acute skills and labour shortages the sector faces.” A key part of AFTA’s successful ongoing advocacy lies in its ongoing strategic engagement across the political spectrum as well as at a policy level. This is advocacy work that takes time and considerable effort at a very detailed level.”
Advocacy that has impact requires not just flagging problems but also providing solutions.”
AFTA CEO Dean Long was back in Canberra last week and over the weekend, this time for the Nationals Corporate Observers Program.
Written by: Jill Walsh
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