MEDIA RELEASE
12 July 2023
Future Skills Organisation Established to Equip Australia’s Training System as Finance, Technology and Business Jobs and Skills Council
The Future Skills Organisation (FSO) has officially launched with a powerful remit to address Australia’s critical skill shortages.
Today, Minister for Skills and Training, The Hon. Brendan O’Connor, announced that the Future Skills Organisation (FSO) will be established as the Finance, Technology and Business Jobs and Skills Council (JSC). JSC's are at the forefront of implementing the government’s jobs and skills plan.
Building on years of industry knowledge and collaboration as the Digital Skills Organisation (DSO), the FSO has been tasked with not only developing strategies to help address skills shortages in critical areas such as digital, but also future-proofing skills and training for sectors - critical to advancing Australia’s economy - the finance, technology, and business sectors.
CEO of FSO, Patrick Kidd, is excited about the opportunity to unlock critical skills, vital to advancing Australia’s economy.
“This is an exciting day for the future of skills, learning and training in Australia. As a JSC, we look forward to working with government, training providers, unions, employers and importantly, learners and employees, to deliver world-class outcomes and make Australia more competitive.”
“We will draw on the experience we gained as the DSO through the pilots undertaken and the successes and learnings garnered to tackle the contributing causes of Australia’s skill shortages. “
Established by the Australian Government in 2022, JSCs will provide industry with a more strategic voice in ensuring Australia’s Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector delivers stronger outcomes for learners and employers.
“We have a significant responsibility to shape Australia’s skills and workforce future. Our mission is to collaborate with stakeholders across training, industry, unions, and government to grow Australia’s finance, technology, and business talent to benefit industries across Australia.” Mr Kidd said.
“We will start by understanding and defining the skills and challenges facing employers by utilising data and feedback to forecast current and emerging opportunities.”
“As we transform from DSO to FSO, we have a talented and passionate Board representing a cross-section of finance, tech and business, and from across Australia to drive us forward with our new remit.” Mr Kidd said.
FSO Board Chair and non-executive director at ASX Ltd, Cochlear Ltd, Santos Ltd and QBE Ltd, Yasmin Allen AM, is passionate about integrating the learnings from DSO into new territory.
“This progression to a JSC is an important step in delivering our critical work in accelerating digital skills across Australia. I want to see all Australians included in the digital transition. The only way we can do that is to ensure everyone has real access to training and development in a contemporary and timely way.
Finance, Technology and Business intersect with our personal and professional lives every single day, it’s critical that we get it right.” Yasmin Allen AM said.
Mr Kidd also stated that support from government and industry stakeholders has been key in a landmark year ahead of this transition.
“We want to thank everyone that has seen the need for Australia to take future skills seriously and have invested in our mission. Particularly Minister O’Connor who has tasked the new JSCs to work with Jobs and Skills Australia so that we can together work to address Australia’s skill deficit. We are grateful for the essential tripartite support from industry, unions, and government.
We believe in Australia’s VET system and education. Together we have a unique opportunity to act as stewards across finance, technology, and business sectors to ensure our VET system is agile, responsive, and innovative.”
“FSO is committed to building a resilient workforce, working with both training institutions and industry to provide the skills that will prepare our economy for the jobs and opportunities of tomorrow – and beyond,” Patrick Kidd said.
To find out more and become a collaborator of FSO, visit https://www.futureskillsorganisation.com.au/contact-us
ENDS
About the Future Skills Organisation
The Future Skills Organisation is a Jobs and Skills Council funded by the Australian Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.
The FSO’s mission is: Through close collaboration with industry and other stakeholders, we work collectively to grow Australia’s pool of finance, technology, and business talent to benefit all industries. www.futureskillsorganisation.com.au
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