Industry welcomes appointment of JSA Commissioner

The national employer association Ai Group, has welcomed the announcement of Professor Barney Glover AO as the inaugural commissioner of Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA).

Ai Group chief executive, Innes Willox, said, “JSA has an enormous task ahead in building a strong evidence base to help identify, develop and grow the workforce that Australia will require to tackle the challenges of the future. Whether we are navigating our transition to net zero, building the nation’s digital capability or supporting new, emerging and growing industries we will need a strong supply of skilled and flexible labour. This is central to Australia’s economic and social ambitions.

“Professor Glover brings a wealth of deep and diverse experience to position JSA to provide independent evidence and advice that will inform Australia’s current and future skills needs and lead JSA’s work on researching workforce trends, skills, and workforce needs.

“Professor Glover’s experience includes university and academic leadership, most recently as vice-chancellor and president of Western Sydney University, as well as significant understanding of the VET sector and business leadership.

“Ai Group has been integrally involved in stages of the development and establishment of JSA. JSA tripartite partners have collaborated over this journey. This new phase for JSA is welcome, timely and important,” Willox said.