Angus Taylor (Hume, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The final year of secondary school is a challenging year for students. I would like to congratulate eight year 12 students in Hume who have been awarded one of the top prizes for vocational education and training in school. These students are among 500 Australia-wide who have received the Australian Vocational Student Prize, which recognises the skills and achievements of students who take on vocational education in their final year.

Congratulations to five year 12 students from Young: Aidan Ward, Shannon Meyer, Rebecca Hill and Nicholas Fitzpatrick from Young High School; Brendan Maxwell from Hennessy Catholic College in Young; Nicholas Cooley from Goulburn's Trinity Catholic College; and Katelyn Burton and Ethan McKenzie from Picton High School.

The government's vocational training in schools program will redress the shameful situation, from recent years, of youth unemployment and skill gaps. Department of Employment research shows a concentration of skill shortages within the trades. Skill shortages in food, in construction and in resource related trades are a great concern in my electorate, with slightly over 50 per cent of the positions being filled.

The government's vocational training in schools program will have stronger links to industry and training providers so that graduates can be equipped with the skills employers need. The future prosperity of our economy very much depends on a highly skilled workforce.