“The appointment of Scott Cam as the first National Careers Ambassador is recognition of both the opportunity a trade career offers someone and the importance of the vocational education and training pathway to access that career,” said Kristin Brookfield, HIA Chief Executive Industry Policy.
“Today’s (October 10 2019) announcement by the Prime Minister and the Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Michaelia Cash, reinforces the change in approach now being taken by the Government to ensure vocational education and the careers on offer are seen by young people, their parents and educators, as the pathway to an inspiring and long term career,” she said.
“As an apprentice carpenter, builder and business owner, Scott Cam has been giving back to the housing industry and sharing his passion and insights with young people as HIA’s Ambassador since 2017. Adding this new role to his efforts reflects his commitment to the industry and to vocational education.
“Scott has worked with HIA to help raise the profile of a career in the housing industry. His own career shows how completing a trade can be the beginning of an exciting future.
HIA has been encouraged by the COAG Skills Council’s adoption of a vision for skills in Australia at their August (2019) meeting, on the back of the Government’s commitment to vocational education in the federal budget.
“It certainly feels like the tide is turning on the bias towards university education as the best way to build a career. Vocational education has continued to offer a practical and cost effective pathway for a whole range of careers and recognition by all governments that university and vocational education need to be on par will help to ensure that those looking to further their education can choose the best option for them,” concluded Ms Brookfield.
Source: HIA