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The aim of this report is to help industry, government policy makers and training providers better understand the drivers of skill needs in the agrifood industry and identify the options for meeting those needs. This report provides the findings of a high level review of the skills and workforce issues confronting the agrifood industry and its five industry sectors: food processing, meat, seafood, racing, and rural and related industries. The key drivers of skills needs for the agrifood industry are: development of the regions; worker attraction and retention; demographic change and employment arrangements; consumer and customer service demands; competitiveness and productivity demands; business compliance; innovation; and globalisation. The relationship between these drivers and skill requirements are analysed and conclusions are developed on how changing drivers may impact on the skills base. Participation, attainment and expenditure trends in vocational and technical education are also discussed. Strategies addressing a broad range of issues driving current and future skills and workforce needs, with a focus on the role of training are recommended. Some of these strategies include: utilising existing industry champions to promote the agrifood industry as a preferred career choice for people in regional and urban areas; the provision of incentives such as higher remuneration, better working conditions and flexible arrangments to encourage older and experienced workers to remain on the job longer; developing skills in international business management; creating partnerships with government, industry and communities to strategically invest in infrastructure development; education of the industry on the challenges and opportunities of globalisation, the importance of research and innovation, and the effecient use of new technology in the global marketplace; developing and distributing tools and resources relating to environment, food safety, occupational health and safety risks and sustainability; adopting a futures approach to the development of training packages to better link research and development to competencies; and providing clear information about career paths and job opportunities that enable informed employment and education choices. Show less

In 1999, the Australian Government acknowledged skills shortages as a critical issue for the national economy with Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) surveys showing skills shortage as a major concern for its member industries. In response, the Government approached skills shortages on an industry by industry basis through the National Industry Skills Initiative (NISI). This industry-led process, designed to identify how an industry-government partnership could address the issue of skills shortage in Australian industry, also involved the Australian Industry Group (AIG) and the Business Council of Australia (BCA). Skills shortages in specific industries were investigated by industry working groups that would inform an action plan to minimise skills shortages for each industry. The four main objectives of the road freight transport industry action plan are to: (1) improve employment outcomes, particularly the recruitment and retention of skilled employees; (2) enhance the image and profile of the trucking industry to promote greater awareness of its important role and ensure that it is seen to offer attractive job opportunities and career paths; (3) develop and support a credible and effective training culture within the industry to encourage the skilling of employees, strengthen employment outcomes, enhance regulatory compliance and meet broader legal requirements; and (4) review and improve existing training structures to promote easier access to the industry and provide better skilling of employees and trainees. Show less

In 1999, the Australian Federal Government acknowledged skills shortages as a critical issue for the national economy. Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) surveys showed that skills shortages 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 shortages 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. This final report documents the progress of the National Industry Skills Initiative in electrotechnology. It outlines the achievements and next steps for these electrotechnology industry objectives: the establishment of the Task Force; increased marketing and promotion; increased flexibility and choice in training pathways; evaluation of barriers to New Apprenticeships; and a streamlined response to demand for new skill sets. The report emphasises the positive outcomes since the Action Plan was agreed upon in July 2000. These include an increase in: engagement by industry stakeholders in addressing recruitment and training for the future; communication between stakeholders in recruitment and training; knowledge on which to base decisions; and understanding of where resources can best be used.

Related reports are indexed at TD/TNC 67.202, TD/TNC 67.371 and TD/TNC 70.288. This National Industry Skills Initiative document is copyright Commonwealth of Australia reproduced by permission. Show less

The Australian Government has announced its plans to establish 24 Technical Colleges around Australia, with the aim of providing a high level of vocational and academic education for students in Years 11 and 12. The proposed time frame will see commencement of the first colleges in 2006, with all 24 fully operational by 2008. The colleges will focus on a number of traditional trades which are currently experiencing skill shortages, including: automotive, electrotechnology, commercial cookery, building and construction and metal and engineering. Students attending the colleges will gain relevant skills through a School-based New Apprenticeship, culminating in a nationally recognised vocational education and training (VET) qualification, while at the same time achieving their Year 12 certificate through the completion of academic subjects. This discussion paper aims to inform organisations and/or consortia about the colleges, and calls for expressions of interest and requests for tenders. It is suggested that the colleges need not be new institutions, but could be based on, and share the same site as, existing schools or registered training organisations (RTOs), including TAFEs and universities. The paper also emphasises that the success of the colleges will rely largely upon the support of local businesses and communities, and a strong interaction with industry. Show less

The Education, Science and Training Portfolio has been allocated $89.6 billion dollars over the next four years in the 2005-06 Budget. This document outlines the allocation of this sum to the programs and initiatives within the education, science and training systems. In terms of training, the document highlights reforms to the vocational education and training (VET) system. The funding for 2005-06 includes: an extension of entitlement to the Youth Allowance, Austudy and Abstudy to New Apprentices; a tool kit for each New Apprentice starting an apprenticeship in specific trades from 1 July 2005; the establishment of 24 Australian technical colleges in locations suffering skill shortages to provide quality education and trade training for senior secondary students; and scholarships for New Apprentices in a small to medium sized business who successfully complete the first and second years of a New Apprenticeship in trades with skill needs.

'Backing Australia's skills at a glance: reinvigorating the vocational and technical education system' is indexed at TD/AG 81.04. Show less

This report reflects the collaboration between employers, State and Federal governments and community organisations in considering the chronic shortage of skills across the Townsville region. The objectives of the project were to profile existing and potential industries, identify areas of skill needs, and forge partnerships between government, industry and the employment and training sectors. The intention being to develop solutions, that will in the short, medium and long term alleviate the shortages of skills across the Townsville region. The report details 20 recommendations, however those of critical importance include the: (1) maintenance of the project momentum by funding the implementation of key recommendations (refer appendix 1); (2) adoption of the Regional Skill Shortages Strategy Model (as detailed on page 16 of this report); (3) development of a Regional Workforce Model and a Regional Marketing Strategy; (4) development and implementation of an annual North Queensland Trades Careers Expo; (5) establishment of a Regional Economic Development Conference; (6) the development of comprehensive career pathway maps which incorporate New Apprenticeship pathways for school students; and (7) the continuation of the strengthening of relations with already established industry clusters. Show less

The innovation and business industries comprise organisations from the following sectors: business services; cultural industries; education; financial services; information and communication technologies (ICT); and printing and graphic arts. This report addresses the emerging skill needs of the innovation and business industries resulting from the changing characteristics of the labour force, an increasingly competitive marketplace; new regulatory pressures and technological changes. Based on research reports and relevant literature, on labour market, economic, industry and vocational and technical education (VTE) statistics, and input from industry participants, this report examines the overall nature and performance of the innovation and business industries, assesses factors that affect the supply of people and skills needed by industries, and proposes a range of responses to meet the challenges facing these industries. The report provides an overall picture of the industries and their skill needs, focusing on VTE qualifications and occupations. Show less

In 1999, the Australian Government acknowledged skills shortages as a critical issue for the national economy with Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) surveys showing skills shortage as a major concern for its member industries. In response, the Government approached skills shortages on an industry by industry basis through the National Industry Skills Initiative (NISI). This industry-led process, designed to identify how an industry-government partnership could address the issue of skills shortage in Australian industry, also involved the Australian Industry Group (AIG) and the Business Council of Australia (BCA). Skills shortages in specific industries were investigated by industry working groups that would inform an action plan to minimise skills shortages for each industry. The Marine Manufacturing, Sales and Service industry was identified as an area that needed a separate skills action plan as a result of the Engineering Working Group processes. This action plan is the result of the Marine Boating Working Group’s study of future skill gaps and needs in the marine/boating industry. It aims to: (1) improve employer engagement with marine industry qualifications; (2) increase opportunities for existing workers; (3) enhance the profile of the industry amongst job seekers; and (4) raise the profile of the industry. Show less

The aim of this report is to help industry, government policy makers and training providers better understand the drivers of skill needs in the construction and property services industries and identify the options for meeting those needs. This report presents industry profiles, employment trends, drivers of skill needs, strategies for addressing future gaps and vocational and technical education trends in both industries. The four main drivers of industry skill needs are: participation - worker attraction/retention, demographic change of the workforce and employment arrangements; market pressure - consumer and customer service demands, market expansion, competitiveness and productivity demands and globalisation; technological change - advancements in technology and continuing impact of e-business; regulatory compliance - occupational health and safety issues, regulatory compliance and insurance. Some of the options identified to help meet industry's skill needs include: retention of New Apprenticeships through to completion of their qualifications; improving the trades image to make it a more attractive option; encourage more women into trades and related industries; competencies in project management, business skills and customer relations to be entrenched in industry standards; qualifications need to reflect new technological requirements by reviewing skill sets and developing competencies to suit; and computer and business management skills will need to be an integrated part of training for anyone working in e-business. Many of the issues underlying skill needs are based upon the boom and bust cycles of the construction and property services industries, therefore smarter decisions on the use of the training dollar to reduce the impact that peaks and troughs have on the capacity to respond quickly will be required. Show less

The aim of this report is to help industry, government policy makers and training providers better understand the drivers of skill needs in the services industries and identify the options for meeting those needs. This report presents profiles of wholesale, retail and personal services, tourism and hospitality, and sport and recreation industries. It also provides an overview of employment trends, drivers of skill needs and vocational and technical education trends in these industries. The main drivers of the services industry skill needs are: consumer and customer service demands; competitiveness and productivity demands; market expansion; employment arrangements and worker attraction/retention; globalisation; demographic change; technology and e-business; increasing awareness of risk; and regulatory compliance. As the dynamic nature of these industries presents significant skills challenges for both employers and employees, this report highlights a number of high level strategies essential to meeting those challenges in the service industries. The strategies recommended are broadly represented in four areas: supporting skill acquisition - an ongoing, incremental process driven by continuous change in the workplace and possibly influenced by work organisation, recruitment policies and practices, employee relations and job design; consolidation and refinement of industry training packages - an immediate challenge is to consolidate and refine 14 training packages, identifying and drawing together common skills and competencies, whilst still incorporating sector-specific requirements; developing partnerships - new partnerships and enhanced existing partnerships need to be developed; understanding industry skill requirements - continual research into the drivers for skills demands and resulting implications is needed and the research should be practical, evidence-based and results focused. Show less