The competitiveness and long-term success of businesses rely heavily on a highly skilled, flexible, and productive workforce. The prosperity of businesses in the Territory has been achieved through strategic investments in skill development, ensuring that the Northern Territory possesses the necessary workforce capabilities for both established and emerging industries.

At present, numerous businesses across all sectors in the NT are grappling with significant skill shortages. To tackle this challenge, the skills and training sector can play a vital role by offering short courses that enable rapid upskilling of the workforce. These courses can help employees transition into new industries or assume different roles within their current workplace, addressing the skills gaps effectively.

By providing accessible and targeted training opportunities, the skills and training sector can contribute to bridging the skills divide, equipping workers with the expertise needed to thrive in the evolving job market. This proactive approach will not only benefit individual employees but also enhance the overall competitiveness and resilience of NT businesses.

The Chamber’s key focus areas for this sector are:

• Take measures to address and minimise skills shortages effectively.
• Advocate for a standardised micro-credential framework to facilitate rapid reskilling and upskilling of the workforce.
• Encourage businesses to increase internship opportunities and consider employing international students to mitigate critical skills shortages.
• Ensure businesses have access to high-quality apprentices and trainees to sustain their operations.
• Ensure training programs lead to sustainable employment outcomes.
• Expand the availability of apprenticeships and traineeships across all sectors.
• Foster flexibility and responsiveness in vocational and higher education systems to meet evolving industry and occupational demands.
• Enhance language, literacy, and numeracy skills among employees.
• Support regional growth by tackling barriers encountered by employers and students.
• Promote inclusivity and create accessible workforce and business opportunities for mature workers, veterans, individuals with disabilities, Indigenous Territorians, and people from diverse cultural backgrounds.