The Workforce Participation Challenge: The Case for a National Workforce Development Strategy

The need for a focused and determined approach to tackle the problem of skills shortages, workforce ageing, falling fertility rates and the need for continuing productivity improvements is discussed. It is suggested that Australia should lift its participation rate and a comprehensive, national workforce development strategy should be developed to encompass skills and knowledge in all of its forms, and which adopts a flexible demand-driven approach to the acquisition of skills and knowledge by individuals.