Moved by Councillor Scott, seconded by
Councillor Ellsmore –
It is resolved that:
(A)
Council note:
(i)
the Jobs and Skills Summit was held on 7 September
2022, at Parliament House in Canberra;
(ii)
the summit aimed to address shared economic
challenges such as unemployment, skill shortages, job security, expansion of
job opportunities and gender equality in pay and opportunities; and
(iii)
the summit resulted in a number of successful
initiatives such as:
(a)
a $1 billion one-year National Skills Agreement
that will provide additional funding for fee-free TAFE in 2023, while a
longer-term agreement that drives sector reform and supports women’s workforce
participation is negotiated;
(b)
a one-off income
credit so that age pensioners who want to work can earn an additional $4,000
over this financial year without losing any of their pension;
(c)
amending the Fair
Work Act to strengthen access to flexible working arrangements, make unpaid
parental leave more flexible and strengthen protection for workers against
discrimination and harassment; and
(d)
improving access to
jobs and training pathways for women, First Nations people, regional
Australians and culturally and linguistically diverse people, including equity
targets for training places, 1,000 digital apprenticeships in the Australian
Public Service, and other measures to reduce barriers to employment; and
(iv)
the City
has a Council adopted Workforce Strategy, with statistics reported via annual
workforce profiles, noting they do not currently include the number of
graduates and apprentices.
(B)
the Lord Mayor be requested to write a letter to
the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese and the Treasurer, Jim Chalmers to
congratulate their efforts and success.
(C)
Council support and follow the aims of local
government to employ more apprentices and trainees and maximise their
opportunities within the City of Sydney; and.
(D)
the Chief Executive Officer be requested to report
biannually on the progress the City has made in this endeavour.
Carried
unanimously.
X086655