David Gillespie (Lyne, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to bring to the attention of the House the wonderful work that a constituent of mine, Glen Davis from Taree, has been doing locally. He moved to Taree from Mudgee some years ago and set up a building business, which now employs six staff under an apprenticeship. He has been doing much more than running a building business. He realises the importance of vocational education and training and the importance of apprenticeships and skills training.

In 2017-18 we had 39,800 people come to this wonderful country from overseas because we have a skills shortage. Glen created the Taree Careers and Trades Day, where he had 30 businesses joining with potential school leavers who are deciding on their career. He realises the value and the importance of skills training and local vocational training. Thirty different businesses turned up at the trades day. I'd like to compliment Glen on his initiative.

We have so many skills that this nation needs, let alone what we need in the Lyne electorate in the Manning Valley. Beauticians, tilers, real estate agents, property managers, retailers, employment providers, electricians, builders—they all need skilled people. We realise that, even though we have 1.5 million people at the university, we have a shortage of apprenticeships.