The report draws on the experience and expertise of a broad range of stakeholders, who generously contributed their views through more than 140 submissions and through consultations attended by nearly 500 people.

The recommendations are driven by two realities.

First, Australia is poised for long-term prosperity through the resources boom but will be held back unless we can meet the requirement for the additional skills our economy demands and ensure those skills are well used. This will require investment.

Second, stakeholders tell us that the vocational education and training (VET) sector has served the nation well and we should be rightly proud of its achievements. However VET needs to change in order to realise its greater potential and our national needs.