A recent joint press release from the Prime Minister and Treasurer announced a Jobs and Skills Summit. This will be held at Parliament House in Canberra on 1–2 September this year.

It aims to “bring together Australians, including unions, employers, civil society and governments” to address shared economic challenges “to build a bigger, better-trained and more productive workforce … and create more opportunities for more Australians to get ahead and to reach their aspirations.”

According to the press release, “the Summit will cover a range of topics with a focus on:

  • Keeping unemployment low, boosting productivity and raising incomes
  • Delivering secure, well-paid jobs and strong, sustainable wages growth
  • Expanding employment opportunities for all Australians including the most disadvantaged
  • Addressing skills shortages and getting our skills mix right over the long-term
  • Improving migration settings to support higher productivity and wages
  • Maximising jobs and opportunities from renewable energy, tackling climate change, the digital economy, the care economy and a Future Made in Australia
  • Ensuring women have equal opportunities and equal pay.”

For more information, VDC news readers can visit the Jobs and Skills Summit website. The themes and outcomes of the Summit will inform an Employment White Paper, which “will help to shape the future of Australia’s labour market,” the press release says.