AAMC chair John Pollaers has been appointed chair of the Federal Government’s new Australian Industry and Skills Committee to put industry in charge of Australia’s vocational education and training (VET) sector.
Assistant Minister for Education and Training Senator Simon Birmingham announced the make-up of the committee on Friday, saying it would replace a complex framework of 13 different committees and advisory bodies.
Mr Pollaers will head a 12-member body of industry representatives. Senator Birmingham said the committee would put “industry at the centre of the system” and would ensure that the VET system was focused squarely on industry needs.
It is expected that the industry-led body will play an important role in overseeing qualifications and training product development.
In accepting his appointment as Chair, Mr Pollaers said he was “looking forward to working closely with government, education and industry leaders across all states and territories to ensure that Australian industry has access to a highly skilled and globally competitive workforce”.
“Our economic future rests in their hands.”