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The conjunction of training and industrial relations in the search for higher productivity is the focus of this paper. Globalisation and international competitiveness necessitate improvement in productivity in key industries to ensure Australia's continuing economic viability. Training is a source of increased productivity. How best to become competitive; the complexities of reform; the extent to which training reforms and industrial relations reforms are industry-driven; the community of interest; and a fall in the numbers of awards with reference to training are discussed. The declining emphasis on investment in training and growing emphasis on negative cost-cutting associated with new decentralised industrial relations such as enterprise bargaining runs counter to industry's needs for productivity growth for international competitiveness. To reverse this trend and meet industry needs, vocational education and training (VET) providers need to assemble human resource bundles of more than just task training for a broadly educated workforce which can negotiate enterprise agreements which include training. The complete proceedings of this conference in one volume may be found at TD/TNC 53.04.