Australian Resources and Energy Group AREEA has welcomed collaboration by state and federal skills ministers to work together through a new council to deliver a stronger Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector.
AREEA Director Operations Tara Diamond, a member of COAG advisory board, the Australian Industry Skills Committee, praised the decision and reiterated the importance of industry involvement.
“Resources and energy employers are facing skills shortages at levels not seen since the last investment and construction peak period,” she said.
“Securing the pipeline of skills to support major resources and infrastructure projects is a significant challenge that must be met head-on, collaboratively, by industry and government.
“Industry has a significant role to play. We must learn our lessons from the previous peak construction phase and be better at long-term industry skills planning, mobility between related sectors, and not have projects cannibalising each other for critical trades and semi-skilled roles.
“However this can only be achieved through state and federal governments working together, and working with industry, on a fit-for-purpose framework for skills development.
“One crucial area is micro-credentialing trade skills so people can work on major projects without needing to complete full apprenticeships. People could be more effectively credentialed to utilise their skills at periods of peak industry demand.”
Ms Diamond said a long range vision was vital to boosting the skills sector.
“Employers must be encouraged to think long-term, beyond their immediate project and operational needs, about skills development,” she said. “The decline in government incentive programs has been very detrimental to encouraging a long-term approach.
“It is most appropriate that the COAG leaders plan to work closer together and more closely with industry on VET reform. There are strong opportunities on the horizon, but we need boots on the ground with the right skills, backed by a more flexible, fit-for-purpose credentialing and qualification system.”
MEDIA CONTACT: Brad Thompson, 0409 781 580
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