MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (15:21): Today I am proud to speak on the Victorian Skills Authority, which was established in July to build on this government’s significant achievements in skills and training and job creation. The VSA was a key recommendation of the Skills for Victoria’s Growing Economy review. Craig Robertson was recently appointed as the founding CEO and brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role, and today I am pleased to announce the establishment of the ministerial advisory board, which will be chaired by Lisa Line, who has a breadth of experience and knowledge in higher education and training.
The board features people of the highest calibre. They all represent great expertise in industry and education. They will focus on ensuring our training and higher education sector meets the needs of jobseekers and industry. The VSA will develop the first ever statewide skills plan, which will set out training needs for our local communities and industries and really focus on areas for economic growth. Collaboration is the key. They will identify areas of growth and opportunity.
One of the first duties of the VSA is the Clean Economy Skills and Jobs Taskforce, which is supported by a $10 million investment in the clean economy workforce. VSA will help prepare Victoria’s clean energy future and net zero emissions by 2050. This task force will develop a 10-year workforce strategy exploring renewable energy, circular economy practices and climate change adaptation. I am proud that this government invests in listening to industry and the post-secondary school sector and is committed to delivering skills needed by industries for Victoria’s economy and socially cohesive future.