Reskilling the manufacturing workforce and developing capabilities for the future

Australia needs a stronger workforce over the next three to five years with more qualified engineers and associated professionals with the high-level skills capable of delivering the needs of the advanced manufacturing and maritime industries. Australia’s graduation rates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields are low by international comparison, providing challenges in meeting qualified workforce needs. With a focus on Tasmania, this paper identified the mismatch between current skills and future needs from a literature review, and through semi-structured interviews with companies in these industries, qualitative data on future skills were determined. The results clearly indicate that there is a need for Vocational Education and Training and Higher Education to be flexible in their course offerings, work with industry to ensure that it is delivering consistent and quality learning outcomes, thus creating a culture of communication and collaboration underpinned by mutual understanding of industry and education and training sector needs, possibilities and constraints.