Victorian Chamber welcomes Major Projects Skills Guarantee release

THE Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has welcomed today’s release of the Andrews Government’s Major Projects Skills Guarantee.

"It is good that the government is leveraging the delivery of Victoria’s infrastructure projects to develop the skills of the next generation of workers," Victorian Chamber of Commerce chief executive Mark Stone said.

"Like the Victorian Chamber Internship Program, this measure supports the development of a skilled, adaptive and productive workforce aligned to the needs of business.
 
"Business wants to employ graduates with 'real world” work experience and this announcement will help apprentices, trainees and engineering cadets throughout Victoria get this experience.
 
"While the Major Projects Skills Guarantee will expand opportunities for apprentices and trainees, further reforms to industry purchasing policy are needed to foster jobs and enhance local industry capability and competitiveness," he said.

The Victorian Chamber’s recent submission to the Review of Victorian Industry Participation Policy (VIPP) calls for:

• Changes to government purchasing frameworks to provide small business with more timely information about genuine procurement opportunities.
• The establishment of a formal weighting system for local content in the evaluation of tenders.
• A minimum local content target for all major regional procurement projects.
• Improvements to procurement practices in the public healthcare and judicial systems to ensure there is greater transparency in the way in which tenders are advertised, evaluated and awarded.
• The streamlining of procurement frameworks currently in operation across the three tiers of government. 

"The private sector plays a significant role in the government procurement process; designing, constructing, operating and maintaining an array of infrastructure projects across the state," Mr Stone said. "Therefore, reforms must also improve the environment for business by lowering costs, reducing red tape and improving investor confidence."

The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, established in 1851, is the most influential business organisation in Victoria, informing and servicing more than 15,000 members, customers and clients around the state.

victorianchamber.com.au

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