New TCCI Participation Taskforce welcomed by Government

The Rockliff Liberal Government wants Tasmanians to have the best opportunities to work, live and raise a family in this State.

Following extensive feedback from local businesses, the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has identified workforce participation as a key priority for the Tasmanian economy and will be finalising a new Tasmanian Participation Taskforce in the first quarter of next year.

Minister for Skills, Training and Workforce Growth, Felix Ellis, said the Taskforce will bring together a range of businesses and organisations to discuss the challenges around participation in the Tasmanian workforce and drive innovative solutions to support workforce participation for underrepresented population groups.

“The Tasmanian Government along with Jobs Tasmania is delighted to be engaging with the TCCI on this important agenda,” Minister Ellis said.

“Our local businesses should be celebrated for the work they have put in to get our economy to this point, but we know there is more we need to do to improve participation and productivity, particularly for under-represented population groups.

“Tasmania has seen incredible jobs growth in recent years, with more than 50,000 more Tasmanians in jobs than there was in 2014, and the Tasmanian Participation Taskforce will be focused on what more we can do to take this to the next level.”

In coming weeks the TCCI will identify organisation, businesses and other stakeholders who can assist the Taskforce which is expected to be finalised early next year.

Michael Bailey, CEO of the TCCI, said that it was clear business and Government needed to work together on these challenges and he was excited at the opportunity to consider fresh approaches and feed those into Government.

“By working together and getting perspectives from across our economy, including through businesses and service or support organisations, the Tasmanian Participation Taskforce will help us identify new ways to ensure more Tasmanians have the chance to get a job and participate in our economy,” Mr Bailey said.

“Importantly, it will look at the barriers to participation and how the Government and community can work together to overcome them.”

Minister Ellis thanked local industry for their leadership and said the Government will continue to work with the TCCI and others, including with respect to the Australian Government’s recently released report “Rebuilding Employment Services” and the full employment white paper.

The Rockliff Liberal Government has a number of critical pieces of work underway in partnership with Multicultural Council of Tasmania, Council of the Ageing, and is delivering several strategies including the Women’s Strategy, and the Youth Jobs Strategy.