Critical labour and skills shortages across the transport supply chain (TSC) are being driven by limited access to clear career information and outdated perceptions of the industry.
In response, and with support from Strategic Workforce Planning Committees, Industry Skills Australia (ISA) initiated four targeted projects in 2025 to improve career information across Aviation, Maritime, Rail, and Transport and Logistics.
In early 2026, a review found that elements of the original Improving Careers Information project were already addressed through enhancements to the Your Career website. Following consultation with stakeholders, the project was refocused on promoting careers across the TSC sector.
The TSC sector continues to face widespread and persistent workforce shortages across critical occupations. These challenges are compounded by an ageing workforce and a highly competitive labour market. While some career promotion activities exist, they are often fragmented, inconsistent, and outdated.
The need for coordinated action was strongly reinforced at ISA’s 2024 Supply Chain Leaders’ Summit, where industry leaders identified career promotion as a top priority. This was further echoed across ISA’s 2024–2025 Industry Roundtables and reflected in the 2025 Workforce Plans, which highlight:
- Aviation: Ongoing shortages in key roles
- Maritime: Significant challenges due to skilled workforce shortages
- Rail: Critical occupational and skills gaps
- Transport and Logistics: Ongoing difficulties attracting and retaining workers
This project will strengthen workforce attraction and retention by improving access to high-quality, relevant career information across the TSC sector.
It aims to:
- Reframe the sector’s image as essential to Australia’s economy and quality of life
- Promote the benefits of TSC careers, including competitive pay, emerging job roles, transferable skills, and strong future demand
- Increase collaboration with industry leaders, organisations, and career influencers, including career advisors
The project will deliver a coordinated suite of tools and insights, including:
- Careers Companion Volumes for each TSC industry, using data from www.yourcareer.gov.au, featuring:
- Key job roles, including descriptions, skills, and knowledge requirements
- Available qualifications and training pathways, including higher education and vocational programs
- Career pathway mapping for priority occupations
- Licensing information for relevant TSC roles provided to www.yourcareer.gov.au
- Scoping Study examining workforce development initiatives in Australia and internationally
- Careers Promotion Campaign, informed by the Scoping Study, and expected to run over 12 months. This may include social media, earned media, ambassador programs, and other targeted channels
- The project will begin with a Scoping Study to establish a clear understanding of existing initiatives and opportunities. This will include:
- Current programs across Aviation, Maritime, Rail, and Transport and Logistics in Australia
- Relevant approaches from adjacent or emerging sectors
- High-impact international programs with demonstrated engagement success
- Insights from this work will inform the design of the Careers Promotion Campaign, ensuring it strengthens and complements existing efforts rather than duplicating them.
The project will begin with a Scoping Study to establish a clear understanding of existing initiatives and opportunities. This will include:
- Current programs across Aviation, Maritime, Rail, and Transport and Logistics in Australia
- Relevant approaches from adjacent or emerging sectors
- High-impact international programs with demonstrated engagement success
Insights from this work will inform the design of the Careers Promotion Campaign, ensuring it strengthens and complements existing efforts rather than duplicating them.
- Scoping Study completion: 30 June 2026
- Project completion: 30 June 2027