The Victorian and Federal Governments have signed a five-year National Skills Agreement (NSA) for national cooperation and strategic investment into Victoria’s vocational education and training (VET) sector.

For young and diverse people, getting a foot in the door can be a difficult process. But in a skills shortage, investing in youth and diversity is a proven solution to these problems.

On Tuesday we had the privilege of partnering with the Herald Sun to host our second annual “Future Victoria” lunch at Crown Melbourne’s spectacular Aviary event space.

Analysis of skills shortages in Australia shows that 36 per cent of assessed occupations (332 out of 916) were in national shortage in 2023, five per cent higher than the year before.

The Victorian Chamber is supporting regional Victoria through the State Government’s Business Groups Flood Recovery Grant. 

It was wonderful to start the week with a call from our new Victorian Premier, Jacinta Allan bright and early at 8.15am.

With a new Premier and Deputy, it’s a new dawn in Victoria. The business community is ready to play our part for the future we all aspire to. 

I want to extend my congratulations to Victoria’s new Premier, Jacinta Allan and Deputy Premier Ben Carroll. Their appointment is fantastic news for the business community, and we have longstanding and productive relationships with both. I am delighted that they will be tasked with taking our State forward. I know they are both up for the challenge and I know they both are acutely aware of what business – all of you – contribute to our great State.

The Australian Government has released an employment White Paper that provides a roadmap of actions being taken, and further reform required, to support the Australian labour market into the future.

Some of you will have been involved in our Housing Taskforce, which is nearing completion. On Tuesday I had an opinion piece published in the Herald Sun which highlights what we have heard during the extensive consultation.

I'm excited to provide a short preview of an upcoming report that we believe will greatly benefit our members. Our Housing Taskforce has been diligently working on a comprehensive document to help address the housing challenges faced by our community.

The Victorian Chamber’s Managing Mental Health in the Workplace training can improve your ability to manage complex mental health issues in the workplace.

On Monday afternoon, Federal Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke introduced the Government’s “Closing the Loopholes” Fair Work Act Amendment Bill, which proposes significant changes to our industrial relations landscape.

The Study Melbourne International Student Careers Fair is the first of its kind in Victoria, dedicated to connecting international students and graduates with employers looking for high-calibre graduates.

The Victorian Chamber was proud to celebrate 25 years of Apprenticeship Support Australia’s (ASA’s) dedication, empowerment and skill-building that has transformed the lives of countless apprentices and businesses.

I was incredibly proud today as our President Adrian Kloeden hosted a lunch to celebrate the Victorian Chamber’s 25 years of involvement in supporting Apprenticeships in Victoria. It was an honour to be joined by so many members and esteemed guests at Crown Melbourne for Apprenticeship Support Australia’s (ASA) 25-year celebration luncheon, including our guest speaker, the Hon Brendan O’Connor MP, Federal Minister for Skills and Training.