National Careers Week is more important now than ever, Cash says

The importance of vocational education and training (VET) to launch or future proof a career and help individuals to come through uncertain times in a stronger position, has been highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Federal Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business Michaelia Cash has said, while drawing attention to National Careers Week 2020, held 18–24 May.

 

Ms Cash said National Careers Week 2020 highlights “how important it is to continually develop your career, because you never know what’s around the corner and the more skills you have, the better equipped you will be.”

 

Skilled workers will be an essential part of ensuring Australia’s economic recovery as COVID-19 restrictions around the country begin to ease, she added. 

 

National Careers Week aims to highlight the need for ongoing reskilling and upskilling to support careers throughout life, and identify the changing nature of work and its impact on all Australians. 

 

“Given the impact of COVID-19, this is now more important than ever,” Ms Cash said. 

 

The COVID-19 health and economic crisis is creating urgent demand for new skills across a broad range of sectors, as well as accelerating demand for entry-level workers in key sectors and industries that are struggling to keep up with increased demand or persistent workforce challenges, such as early childhood education and care (ECEC).

 

“As a result of COVID-19 a lot of training has now moved online, giving people flexibility and opening up more opportunities than ever before, particularly for people living in our regions,” she added, noting that the recently updated MySkills website enables prospective students to search over 2,000 online courses of offer from registered training organisations (RTOs).

 

National Careers Week runs from 18–24 May and the many online events, from local, targeted education and employment opportunities, to national webinars can be found here. 

 

For career and study options, please visit these websites.