The Manufacturing Industry Skills Alliance actively addresses manufacturing skill shortages. Collaborating with both industry and government, the Manufacturing Alliance engages with industry through initiatives including the National Manufacturing Workforce Forum, working to identify and build solutions to deliver to the industry’s skills needs. Manufacturers’ Monthly reports.
The Manufacturing Industry Skills Alliance (Manufacturing Alliance) is the Jobs and Skills Council supporting the manufacturing sector to assist them to meet their workforce challenges. It is an industry owned and led organisation committed to developing an empowered manufacturing workforce that drives the Australian economy.
The organisation is engaged in workforce planning, developing training products to meet industry needs, promoting modern manufacturing, and industry advocacy.
With their sights set on implementing solutions for Australia’s manufacturing workforce challenges the organisation is dedicated to their mandate.
“As the Jobs and Skills Council for the manufacturing sector, we want to ensure that the manufacturing industry can access workers with the skills needed to shape an innovative future made right here in Australia. We bring industry together to identify skills and workforce needs for their sectors. We listen to their concerns and challenges, their priorities and use that information to identify and develop solutions that will take manufacturing forward.” said Manufacturing Industry Skills Alliance CEO, Sharon Robertson.
“We promote close cooperation among government bodies, unions, employers and training providers to find solutions to the skills and workforce challenges industry faces. Our goal is to ensure employers have access to the skilled workforce needed to enable modern manufacturing to succeed.”
Providing industry solutions
Earlier this year, the Manufacturing Alliance hosted the National Manufacturing Workforce Forum. This event, aimed at having the right people in the room to develop solutions to address workforce challenges, was very timely given the Prime Minister’s Future Made in Australia announcement prior to the event, and the budget measures to support it announced after.
Key speakers included Skills and Training Minister the Hon Brendan O’Connor MP, Victorian Skills and TAFE Minister Gayle Tierney MP, Australian Council of Trade Unions assistant secretary Liam O’Brien, and Ai Group CEO Innes Willox AM.
“The Forum was a crucial gathering for industry leaders to map out collaborative efforts towards augmenting the pool of skilled workers for the manufacturing sector, an important component in achieving the government’s objectives for a robust, independent manufacturing sector,” said Robertson.
“It was also the perfect platform for a conversation that will propel us to the next stage of our work.”
With a line-up of industry leaders, the Forum was a milestone on the path towards invigorating a proud manufacturing industry and building a future made right here in Australia.
Attendees participated in discussions on actionable strategies to address future needs for a skilled labour force, paving the way for substantial progress in manufacturing self-sufficiency and innovation.
Adding a valuable perspective during the Forum, a panel session featuring apprentices emphasised hands-on learning and mentorship. They highlighted the importance of equipping apprentices with practical skills and certifications and discussed strategies for attracting and retaining apprentices.
A panel session of employers, all facing the issue of attracting and retaining apprentices, discussed improving apprenticeship programs. There was consensus that employers need to adapt to workforce demographic changes and incorporate training on emotional intelligence and diversity inclusion into their workplace.
There was also agreement that to attract and retain the next generation of apprentices, the focus must not only be on the completion of the apprenticeship, but on investing in the apprentice themselves.
A time of engagement
Following the announcement of the new budget funding for the Future Made in Australia Act, the Manufacturing Alliance is well positioned to work with industry to implement workforce solutions.
The budget included around $600 million in measures to bolster skills growth and development in the clean energy, construction, and manufacturing sectors, as well as support apprentices and break down barriers for women in male-dominated industries.
In coming months, the Manufacturing Alliance will release its 2024 Workforce Plan, incorporating the feedback received at the Forum.
The 2024 Workforce Plan will build on the previous plan, which identified emerging workforce challenges and outlined strategies for addressing these issues.
The Manufacturing Alliance are asking you to take the next step by working with them.
“As an industry owned and led organisation, all voices need to be heard. Whether you are an employer, industry body, learner or parent we want to make sure that our recommendations reflect a diverse cross-section of perspectives, said CEO Sharon Robertson.
“We want to engage with the whole of industry at all levels. This includes apprentices, employers, unions, training bodies, government, and industry associations.”
Getting involved
Contact the Manufacturing Alliance to explore opportunities to be involved with workforce projects and solutions to address skills shortages.
You can contact the Manufacturing Alliance by emailing hello@manufacturingalliance.org.au to set up a face-to-face discussion, signing up to their newsletter on their website or following them on their social channels.
.png){kind=small}
