Official Residences
Government House, Canberra Admiralty House, Sydney
more »Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Government House this morning.
I’m thrilled as Patron of Group Training Australia to join you again this year for the launch of your annual apprentice and trainee development program – Today’s Skills, Tomorrow’s Leaders.
I have enormous respect for your Association:
your contribution to our economy and prosperity
the skills, talents and leadership you encourage and engender;
and the exciting and varied career opportunities you create for apprentices and trainees.
The occupational choices that face men and women today are countless
and often overwhelming in their possibility.
Myriad pathways have opened up in education,
training,
employment –
indeed, in how we lead every aspect of our lives.
Innovations in schooling and post-school offerings mean that:
a much wider range of interests and abilities can be fostered,
and young people are freer than ever to pursue their dreams, develop their natural aptitude, and build for themselves a life and career-path that fulfill their own ambitions and expectations.
With this freedom, of course, comes
a need for greater self reliance.
In many ways it is more difficult to carve out our own path than to follow tamely in the footsteps of others.
And yet, the right mix of guidance, stability and inspiration is critical
to our maturity and progress.
This is central to the ethos and work of Group Training Australia
in providing structure and discipline
emphasising the value of resourcefulness and know-how
making tangible connections between traditional and contemporary practice
and opening up untapped potential in each of you.
In return, be prepared to
articulate what drives and empowers you,
have a say in how your professions should evolve and adapt,
and guide that transformation
and work on your leadership as well as your vocations.
As leaders, you must know:
what is expected of you,
the values you rely on,
you must stay flexible and open in your learning,
and try not to let your ego get in the way of your job or your vision.
There is no formula that guarantees good leadership – you will bring your own unique qualities to the role, in your own unique ways.
Apprentices and trainees, I wish you the very best in your journeys to excellence and leadership.
Congratulations on your commitment, participation and striving.
Friends, I am now very pleased to launch Group Training Australia’s Leaders’ Program for 2010 – Today’s Skills: Tomorrow’s Leaders.
