PVCA says new VET Panel needs to talk with printers

Print industry association PVCA (previously PIAA) says the new VET Expert Panel Review is a welcome step, but says to succeed it must talk to print and packaging businesses.

The government is seeking to revitalise vocational education and training (VET) in the light of a national skills shortage, which is impacting on print among other industries. The Expert Panel announced this week will provide independent strategic advice on key reforms flowing from the Joyce Expert Review of Australia’s VET System.

Walter Kuhn, PVCA Board president, said “Industry consultation is imperative and without it, even the best intentioned policies can fail. We want to see the VET system continue to grow and we want to see better support especially within the print and packaging industry.

“Industry is absolutely crying out for a nationally consistent and flexible system, and the PVCA hopes that these reforms and the strategic advice from the Expert Panel will help alleviate this situation,” said Kuhn.

The Expert Panel will be chaired by the Steven Joyce who will be joined by Peter Noonan, Professor of Tertiary Education Policy at Victoria University’s Mitchell Institute, and Dr Vanessa Guthrie, who will bring industry perspective with her senior leadership and executive experience.

“We congratulate the Government on the establishment of a VET Expert Panel off the back of the Joyce Review. We also welcome the appointment of Steven Joyce, Peter Noonan and Vanessa Guthrie. It is great to see an expert from industry on the panel, which is something we continue to advocate for all Government reforms,” said Kuhn.

Senator Michaelia Cash, minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, and Steve Irons MP, assistant minister for Vocational Education, Training and Apprenticeships, made the announcement of the Expert Panel yesterday.

The PVCA continues to have an open dialogue with Minister Cash’s and Assistant Minister Irons' offices, and continues to lobby on behalf of PVCA members.

The PVCA has made lobbying for training one of its key strategies, achieving success in its work in Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia. A national scheme has always been its main objective.