POPULAR WORDS

Federal Minister for Vocational and Technical Education Gary Hardgrave and Queensland Minister for Employment and Training and Industrial Relations Tom Barton today agreed to sign the new 2005-08 Commonwealth-State Agreement for Skilling Australia's Workforce. Hardgrave says the state's signing of the agreement shows it has an eye to the future instead of the past and called on the other states to follow its leadership. In a joint statement, they say the new agreement will ensure the strong national framework developed through co-operative partnership between governments over more than 10 years will continue, he says. "This co-operation has resulted in agreement that vocational and trade qualifications gained in one state being accepted across Australia and for national standards in the quality of those qualifications," they say. "The Australian and Queensland governments are committed to maintaining a first-class training system that provides opportunities for all Australians to obtain and upgrade their skills to participate in the nation's growing economy. "Queensland has a fast growing economy with increasing demand for the high-quality training delivered by Queensland TAFE institutes, agricultural college and private trainers. "The Australian and Queensland Ministers have worked together over the last six months in good faith to negotiate the best possible agreement to meet the training needs of Queenslanders. "There is a deep-shared commitment on the training issues covered in the agreement. Some issues, especially those in relation to industrial relations arrangements, have been more difficult to work through. "The Australian government's funding contribution of over $200 million a year under the new agreement is welcomed by the Queensland Government. Together with more than $540 million a year provided by the Queensland government from its Budget, this represents a significant commitment by governments to the delivery of vocational and technical education in the state." The Ministers believe the new agreement will support Queensland's policy initiatives to continually improve and innovate to deliver the best outcomes for Queenslanders. "It provides structures and opportunities to address issues such as skills needs in a national context," they say.