Training, not immigration, is the answer to skills shortages

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The skilled labour shortage has heightened calls for an increase in Australia’s skilled migrant intake. For example, the Business Council of Australia wants the annual permanent skilled migration cap to be raised to 220,000 in the next two financial years before reverting to 190,000 in subsequent years.

But Deloitte believes the solution to skills shortages lies closer to home, and requires businesses to invest more in training programs and upskilling:

Australia is always confronting workforce skill shortages of some kind – but at least part of the solution is right in front of us, with upskilling and reskilling workers via workplace learning and development (L&D) one path towards better meeting demand.

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About the author
Leith van Onselen is Chief Economist at the MB Fund and MB Super. He is also a co-founder of MacroBusiness. Leith has previously worked at the Australian Treasury, Victorian Treasury and Goldman Sachs.