In a perfect example of media steadfastly holding to the status quo, David Speers, Australian news anchor for SKY News, pokes holes in a green jobs program proposed by Mark Arbib, Australia’s Employment Minister. Speers goes on to suggest a clear delineation between a "job" and a "work experience program."

If you couldn't stomach the whole video (understood), here's text of the most painful exchange:

David Speers: Does that mean that you are calling this a job or does that mean they’ll be remaining on the unemployment benefit?

Arbib: No, well, this is ... yeah this is a work experience program.

Speers: Is it a job or is it a work experience program?

Arbib: A work experience program is a job. They’ll be actually working during this time.

Speers: When you say it’s a job, do they get sick leave? Do they get superannuation? How is it just not the same as the work for the dole scheme?

Arbib: Well, I don’t have all the details.

Speers: But you’re the minister.

Arbib: Well, I am, but I don’t have all the details today for you mate. But what I can tell you ...

Speers: But it’s just been announced by the Prime Minister.

Arbib: 10,000 young people, 26 weeks’ training, plus work, day after day, it’s a great, great result.

Speers: But it is still being worked out.

Arbib: No, no, this scheme will be under way in January 2010, and obviously some of the detail will still have to be finalised, but ...

Speers: Is one of those details whether it will be a job or work experience?

Arbib: Well, well ... it’s a fine line but can I tell you it is work experience. Work experience is a job.

Sadly, I found this clip posted by a card-carrying nutjob in a nifty piece you can gargle with. For all you who think experiential learning cannot produce anything or expect your employees to know everything they should know on the first day -- I repeat Mr. Arbib's sage assertion: Work experience is a job.