The Employment, Education and Training Policy unit works with the Victorian and Australian Governments to raise employer and community awareness of the challenges in meeting business and industry demands for labour and skilled workers.

Victoria's labour market faces a number of challenges including:

• An ageing population and workforce
• Forecast shortage of workers
• Skill shortages and skill gaps

It is important that employers are aware of the impact these challenges will have on their business and the options available to alleviate them.

Training, workforce diversity, skilled migration and flexible work practices are all options that should be considered by employers in meeting their workforce needs.

VECCI has been active in ensuring employers understands the challenges ahead by:

• Convening the Inaugural Victoria Summit in 2005, followed up with the Victoria Summit 2007
• Conducting the Victorian Skills Survey
• Launching VECCI Staff Solutions 
• Assisting employers to recruit skilled migrants
• Providing tools and advice on recruiting, retraining and retaining older workers 

Through these activities VECCI is improving the level of awareness and understanding among employers and industry leaders of the important challenges we must address to ensure we maintain strong economic growth and prosperity.