Restaurant & Catering Australia has come out in support of a Howard Government for the next election saying it is very encouraged by the skills announcements by the Coalition over the past few days. The foodservice industry has one of the lowest levels of training among its workforce (with over 60 per cent of the workforce with no post-school qualification). The announcement for the provision of vouchers to small business owners and their employees, of up to $1500 each to improve their skills, would be a great help in building the skills base in the industry. On other initiatives, Restaurant & Catering Australia believes:
serious trade training in schools, such as that developed through the announced 100 Australian Technical Colleges, will enhance the quality of entrants into the industry; and
$3000 WorkSkills voucher to any Australian aged 25 and over and who does not have Year 12 equivalent or certificate level II or higher qualifications provides another resource to upskill the existing workforce.
