The National Apprentice Employment Network (NAEN) has welcomed the appointment of new shadow ministers who will lead the Labor Opposition over the coming term of parliament. The National Executive Officer of NAEN, Dianne Dayhew congratulated the Shadow Minister for Education and Training Tanya Plibersek on her reappointment to the senior frontbench position.
“The apprentice employment sector has had a productive working relationship with Ms Plibersek and her office over recent years and we are pleased that such a respected senior figure will continue to oversee this important policy area,” Ms Dayhew said. NAEN also welcomed the appointment of Graham Perrett as Shadow Assistant Minister for Education and Training, and Ged Kearney as Shadow Assistant Minister for Skills.
With the importance of the small business sector to apprentice employment, NAEN also welcomes the appointment of Brendan O’Connor as Shadow Minister for Small and Family Business. The announcement of Linda Burney as Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians is a powerful recognition of the vital place of this portfolio in the future of Indigenous affairs and one where the group training sector plays a key role, employing one in ten Indigenous apprentices and trainees around Australia.
We also congratulate Amanda Rishworth on her appointment as Shadow Minister for Youth, and Clare O’Neil as Shadow Minister for Innovation, Technology and the Future of Work. We look forward to meeting shortly with the key Labor shadow ministers and assisting to develop policies that will encourage more people to take up apprenticeships and traineeships and help to build a skilled workforce that generates rewarding careers, wellbeing and prosperity.
Media Contact: Bob Bowden, Ph 0412 753 298 bbowden@bowmac.com.au
