Professor Barney Glover, the Commissioner of Jobs and Skills in Australia, has emphasized the necessity of understanding the causes of skill shortages and finding solutions to address them. In an interview with The Fiji Times’ online news portal, The Lens@177, he noted that skill shortages in any nation often result from skill migration.
“I can’t comment broadly on labor migration,” Professor Glover remarked. “However, in the Australian context, one of my duties is to advise the government on the reasons behind our skill shortages.”
He explained that one way to respond to a skill shortage is through skill migration, whether through temporary migration, other forms of labor mobility, or even permanent migration. According to Professor Glover, this has always provided an opportunity in Fiji as well.
“In Australia, we observe similar labor mobility opportunities,” he said. “For jobs and skills in Australia, we need to understand why we have these shortages and what actions we can take to reduce our reliance on skilled migration by enabling more Australians to participate in the workforce.”
Professor Glover elaborated that labor mobility is part of a broader context of global talent movement. In Australia, there are significant goals to increase post-secondary education levels and workforce participation among those with tertiary qualifications. To meet these goals, more Australians must pursue post-secondary education in relevant fields for future employment.
“My primary focus is on uplifting Australians,” he stated.
For the full interview with Professor Glover, visit The Fiji Times’ Facebook page and YouTube channel tonight at 7pm.