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In 1999, the Australian Federal Government acknowledged skills shortages as a critical issue for the national economy with Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) surveys showing that skills shortage had become a major concern for its member industries. In response, an industry-led process designed to identify how an industry-government partnership could address the issue of skills shortage in Australian industry was instituted by the Government, the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) and the Business Council of Australia (BCA). This strategy involved an investigation of skills shortages in specific industries by industry working groups which would inform an Action Plan to minimise skills shortages for each industry. The Action Plan would be implemented by an industry Task Force over a period of two years. This industry working group report on skills shortages in the rural industry is the result of an analysis of four major commodity sectors - wool, production horticulture, viticulture and cotton. The Rural Industry Working Group identified issues associated with investment in training, current and future skill needs, and barriers to satisfying skill needs. The report outlines the research methodology, key findings, and initiatives and recommendations for strategic action. Appendices contain an industry output and employment analysis, output and employment trends by sector, an education and training analysis, a summary of issues arising from industry consultations across the four sectors, cross-sector issues, and acknowledgements and references.

This National Industry Skills Initiative document is copyright Commonwealth of Australia reproduced by permission. Show less

In 1999, the Australian Federal Government acknowledged skills shortages as a critical issue for the national economy with Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) surveys showing that skills shortage had become a major concern for its member industries. In response, an industry-led process designed to identify how an industry-government partnership could address the issue of skills shortage in Australian industry was instituted by the Government, the Australian Industry Group (AIG) and the Business Council of Australia (BCA). This strategy involved an investigation of skills shortages in specific industries by industry working groups which would inform an Action Plan to minimise skills shortages for each industry. The Action Plan would be implemented by an industry Task Force over a period of two years. The commercial cookery industry is a large industry employing commercial chefs and cooks, bakers and pastrycooks. The industry working group investigated the benefits to employers of investment in training, skill set needs in each occupational area and cross industry skill sets, and barriers to satisfying skill needs. This report recommends solutions to industry skill shortages and proposes action on three fronts: the recruitment and training of large numbers of commercial cooks and chefs; better employee management strategies to reduce attrition; and innovation on the part of employers so that they are able to operate with fewer commercial cooks and chefs. A strategy has been developed involving leadership and coordination across the industry, marketing and promotion, enhancing the professionalism of the industry, and making New Apprenticeships work for the industry.

This National Industry Skills Initiative document is copyright Commonwealth of Australia reproduced by permission. Show less

In 1999, the Australian Federal Government acknowledged skills shortages as a critical issue for the national economy with Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) surveys showing that skills shortage had become a major concern for its member industries. In response, an industry-led process designed to identify how an industry-government partnership could address the issue of skills shortage in Australian industry was instituted by the Government, the Australian Industry Group (AIG) and the Business Council of Australia (BCA). This strategy involved an investigation of skills shortages in specific industries by industry working groups which would inform an Action Plan to minimise skills shortages for each industry. The Action Plan would be implemented by an industry Task Force over a period of two years. The building and construction industries in Australia comprise the three broad groups of building activity including housing, commercial/industrial construction and civil construction. Due to the size of the industry, the Building & Construction Industry Working Group concentrated their investigation on skill needs within on-site disciplines. The research covered the benefits to employers of investment in training, the skill needs of each occupation now and in the future, including common cross industry issues, and the barriers to meeting skill needs. A number of broader issues in addition to training were also identified, for example, future employment opportunities, industrial relations issues, the ageing of the workforce and skill needs, identification of current skill sets, and retention and attrition rates. The report makes a number of recommendations as to how the training system could address industry needs and identifies training new entrants and broadening and deepening the pool of skills on which the industry draws, as the two key challenges for the future.

This National Industry Skills Initiative document is copyright Commonwealth of Australia reproduced by permission. Show less

In 1999, the Australian Federal Government acknowledged skills shortages as a critical issue for the national economy with Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) surveys showing that skills shortage had become a major concern for its member industries. In response, an industry-led process designed to identify how an industry-government partnership could address the issue of skills shortage in Australian industry was instituted by the Government, the Australian Industry Group (AIG) and the Business Council of Australia (BCA). This strategy involved an investigation of skills shortages in specific industries by industry working groups which would inform an Action Plan to minimise skills shortages for each industry. The Action Plan would be implemented by an industry Task Force over a period of two years. The Electrotechnology Working Group investigated the benefits of investment in training for employers, skill set needs and cross industry issues, and barriers to satisfying skill needs. This report is presented in four sections: an overview of the research methodology and main sources of evidence; a summary of data identifying skill shortages and emerging patterns and trends in the areas of demand and supply of skills; an outline of key issues related to skill shortages and unmet skill set needs in identified sectors of the industry; and recommendations and strategies to address issues in four areas for action - increased marketing and promotion, more flexible and alternative training pathways, evaluation of regulatory, legislative or systematic barriers to New Apprenticeships, and a streamlined response to demand for new skill sets.

This National Industry Skills Initiative document is copyright Commonwealth of Australia reproduced by permission. Show less