Innovative program tackles unskilled labour shortage in the Kimberley
Source: Western Australia. Minister for Planning and Infrastructure. Media Release
"Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan met with major tourism operators in the Kimberley region to discuss the possibility of employing temporary workers from East Timor. The proposal to tackle the unskilled labour shortage follows an historic agreement signed between the State Government and East Timor in February, aimed at helping East Timor to manage and plan major infrastructure projects. Ms MacTiernan, who travelled to Dili in March for formal discussions with the East Timorese Government, said a common theme underlying those meetings was the lack of basic skills development to provide the foundation for a modern economy. The State Government proposal involves hiring workers from East Timor to work for a period of six to nine months, providing much-needed labour for Western Australia and skills development for the East Timorese workforce."