Prime Minister Julia Gillard has given an assurance the federal government is not passive on jobs creation as the economy goes through its current phase of change.
Closing the government's one day jobs forum in Canberra on Thursday, Ms Gillard said "it is not in this government's nature to be passive"
"We are very determined during this phase of economic transformation to spread opportunity, the opportunity for work or our nation in this phase of change."
Ms Gillard said the nation must seize the opportunities that would come from the growth of Asia, the resources boom, a clean energy future and the national broadband network.
The prime minister sought to reassure industries under pressure, such as manufacturing, retail, tourism and international eduction, saying the government had a solid vision for the future.
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Mr Gillard promised to release an "updated tourism strategy" before the end of the year, and said junior Tourism Minister Nick Sherry would be asked to ensure tourism operators could capitalise on the National Broadband Network.
For the billion-dollar international education sector, she said the government would soon appoint the international education advisory council to help guide the industry back to its previous levels.
Ms Gillard also announced she would chair a special prime ministerial taskforce on manufacturing.
She said it was important to support manufacturing during times of change because it was the sector which was facing the headwinds produced by Australia's high terms of trade.
"I believe this task is urgent and it requires a whole of government approach," she said.
"I will therefore establish a prime minister's taskforce drawn from manufacturing industry leaders and unions to coordinate and catalyse the work occurring across government.
"We need to be in a position to rapidly respond to this structural adjustment."
Innovation Minister Kim Carr will be the taskforce deputy and other senior ministers will be members.
"I do genuinely believe that we can be a country that continues to invent things and make things," Ms Gillard said.
The government also plans to help the manufacturing sector by requesting more Australian industry participation plans for commonwealth grants worth $20 million or more.
"(It) is an important new initiative," Ms Gillard said.
In order to get this done, the prime minister appointed another implementation working group, made up of industry, union, government and state representatives. This group will be required to report back by the end of the year.
Ms Gillard also said there were plans to extend a five per cent tariff relief scheme for imported goods.
The government wants companies to provide more evidence - and more regularly - that any major projects being undertaking are also delivering opportunities for local businesses.
"If you want Australian taxpayers' dollars then you're going to have to give Australian businesses a fair chance to compete for work," Ms Gillard said.
"We will be requiring project proponents to list opportunities for Australian industry to participate in major projects on a public website.
"There's no point having rules unless people can each and every day clearly and transparently see that they are being abided by."
Ms Gillard said the resources boom would need to be nurtured to provide the skilled workers it needed, while also focusing on the new skills needed for a clean energy future and taking manufacturing "up the value chain".
"And then of course we need the skills necessary for other industries, including tourism and the huge growth we are expecting in sectors like health and community services, and also in the professional and technical sections."
She said Thursday's forum was not a one-off.
".. it is certainly my intention to stay in very close contact with this group and beyond as we continue to drive (its) work forward."
She said the transformation of the economy brings challenges, but also "amazing" opportunities to drive a deepening and diversification of the economy.
"We have got an amazing opportunity to spread wealth from the boom in resources," Ms Gillard said.
