Plan unveiled to address labour shortages

Skilled workers will be able to fast-track to full trade qualifications in as little as 18 months under a government plan to address the growing workforce crisis in the resources sector.

Skills Minister Chris Evans said the government would also provide $200 million for training projects for skills in high demand.

The government has accepted all 31 recommendations of the Resourcing the Future report, which outlines a blueprint for lifting the number of skilled workers available to the resources sector.

‘Under the adult apprenticeship project, experienced workers will have their existing skills recognised and be given the opportunity to complete the competencies required to get a full trade qualification in just 18 months,’ Senator Evans said in a statement.

‘Existing resource sector employees and workers from across Australia will be recruited and on and off-the-job training provided so companies will benefit immediately from a boost to their workforces.’

Resources and Energy Minister Martin Ferguson said this was an important first step in addressing skills and labour shortages in the resources sector.

He said it would also help alleviate flow-on pressures on other industries.

‘We estimate the fund will help train 39,000 skilled workers over four years and target areas of critical need for the resources, construction, infrastructure and renewable energy sectors.’

The ongoing skills’ shortfall was highlighted by a new study, which cited growing business optimism, tempered by concerns that workforce shortages might provide a stumbling block to growth.

‘Forty-five per cent of Australian privately-held businesses perceive the lack of available skilled staff as a constraint to business expansion. These concerns have grown 14 per cent in the last year,’ the latest International Business Report said.

ACTU President Ged Kearney said any plan to ease labour shortages must be matched by investment in skills’ training by employers.

She said over-reliance on skilled migration had in part led to a labour shortage in the resources sector.

‘Right now, the resources sector takes a short-term, short-sighted approach, overusing the 457 visa and offering high wages to poach from other sectors – effectively robbing Peter to pay Paul,’ she said in a statement.

Australian Industry Group chief executive Heather Ridout said improving training and apprenticeships wouldn’t be enough, with immigration still vital.

‘Immigration programs are essential to delivering skilled workers when and where we need them,’ she said in a statement.

President of the Australian Constructors Association Peter Brecht said the nation needed to maximise job participation by Australians.

‘In particular draw on those sectors of the workforce that have been under-utilised including women, indigenous people and the long-term unemployed,’ he said in a statement.’-The Australian Associated Press, March 15, 2011