Welcome to the September edition of our newsletter

Getting The Inside Story – ISA On the Road

ISA is constantly on the road listening to the needs of those who run the business and do the jobs. Only through these conversations can we reliably represent the views of industry on the skills development and workforce planning challenges they face, and the solutions they want to see in place.  

Read more about some of our latest engagements below:

Surf Life Saving NSW
Recently, Mori Hajizadeh, our Aviation Industry Engagement Manager, had the pleasure of visiting Surf Life Saving NSW's head office in Sydney. The volunteer organisation operates an impressive fleet of over 200 drones, piloted by more than 400 highly trained Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles operators, providing crucial services like coastal surveillance, search and rescue, wildlife monitoring, and shark detection across NSW.

The state-of-the-art Operations Centre plays a vital role in coordinating search and rescue missions, bushfire response, and other emergency services. Surf Life Saving NSW also delivers remote pilot training and community programs that educate the public on safety at the beach. It was inspiring to see firsthand how their technology and expertise help protect lives.

A big thank you to Paul Hardy, Australian Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles Service Manager and Chief Remote Pilot, for organising this insightful visit and sharing the incredible work they do every day.

Industry Skills Australia is currently working with stakeholders in reviewing the Certificate III in Aviation (Remote Pilot) to ensure that the skills of UAV pilots are aligned with industry needs for a skilled workforce it needs for now and the future.

Australian Aviation Summit 2024, a fantastic event that provided the opportunity to hear from industry leaders about innovations, advancements, and challenges of the industry.
Discussions focused on: 

• Western Sydney Airport Opening in 2026: This new airport will create 6000 to 8000 job opportunities when it opens in 2026 and drive economic growth in the region. It's designed with sustainability in mind, with 20% of its electricity coming from renewable sources.
• Emerging Technologies: Drones and Advanced Air Mobility are revolutionising the industry and boosting economic benefits, highlighting the need for new skills and air traffic management technologies. 
• Workforce Attraction and Retention: Emphasis was placed on recruitment in schools, increasing diversity, and promoting STEM education, particularly for young women.

All these exciting developments will have a huge impact on workforce planning and skills needs. The Aviation White Paper highlights the role of ISA in undertaking planning for the aviation workforce.

NatRoad Connect 2024 

ISA’s Transport and Logistics Industry Engagement Manager, Camilla Elmes, joined industry leaders and road transport operators at the NatRoad Connect 24 Conference held in Coffs Harbour this month.
Camilla was given the opportunity to speak about the work Industry Skills Australia is doing to address key industry challenges as identified in the 2024 Transport and Logistics Workforce Plan.

Other key discussion points highlighted during the Conference included:

•    The importance of creating work environments which support mental health and wellbeing, not as only as a legal and moral responsibility, but also to aid in the attraction and retention of workers.
•    A presentation from the International Road Transport Union (IRU) spoke about the findings of their recent Driver Shortage survey which highlighted the fact that heavy vehicle driver shortages are a global issue that severely impacts industry’s ability to service the current freight task and limits opportunities for growth.
•    The Hon Jo Haylen MP, NSW Minister for Transport, spoke about their plans to support the implementation of Austroads’ licensing reforms and upcoming workforce attraction programs.
•    Senator Glenn Sterle spoke about the recent Road Transport Industry Roundtable held in Canberra and the need to focus on training for industry which is supported by government funding.

There were many informative presentations on a range of topics affecting industry. A huge thank you to NatRoads for hosting such a fabulous event.

MEGATRANS 2024
Supply chain leaders and experts from across Australia gathered at MEGATRANS 24 in Melbourne last week to discuss the issues that are shaping the future of the sustainable supply chain. These included workplace diversity, the Ethical Supply Chain, and facilities planning. The biennial event featured a combined conference, exhibition and jobs pavilion.

The Supply Chain and Logistics Association of Australia (SCLAA) showcased the latest supply chain trends and sustainability initiatives with expert speakers and panellists as part of its SCLAA Spotlight Conference Program.

ISA Board Director Jon Northorpe presented on Empowering a Sustainable, Skilled Workforce: The Value of People and People Centric Practices in the Supply Chain. He discussed workforce challenges in a rapidly evolving industry and an approach that emphasises continuous learning, safety, and engagement, ensuring long-term success.

Upcoming industry conferences

ISA Strategic Workforce Planning Committees recap

Our Strategic Workforce Planning Committees met in August. The Committees discussed progress on the program of work proposed in the 2024 Workforce Plans, and how industry’s workforce challenges and opportunities continue to evolve.

Whilst each Committee discussed issues specific to their industry, cross-cutting issues across all four sectors were also discussed, as were opportunities for collaboration between Jobs and Skills Councils, and across the national skills system (vocational education and training, school and higher education).

The Aviation Committee was hosted by Aviation Australia. They discussed key challenges faced by the industry, particularly workforce shortages in pilots, licensed aircraft maintenance engineers (LAMEs), cabin crew, flight instructors, and the lack of qualified and experienced trainers in regional areas. A major concern is the need for better alignment between vocational education standards and the technical/regulatory requirements set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Developing transferable skills and career pathways to improve workforce mobility was also emphasised. The Committee also highlighted the need for an agile training system to keep pace with emerging needs and new technologies such as Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS).

The Maritime Committee focused on workforce challenges and their impacts such as ongoing workforce shortages, an ageing workforce, difficulties in attracting new workers and barriers to the skills pipeline including the quality of training and assessment.  Projects to support the Strategic Fleet initiative were discussed, as the Maritime industry faces an unprecedented demand for skilled seafarers now and into the future. Ensuring stronger coverage of near coastal employers and their workforce challenges in the 2025 Workforce Plan will also be a focus for the committee.

The T&L Committee focussed on prioritising areas for engagement, research and activity development in response to key industry challenges. It also raised other projects being undertaken by external agencies which may require actions to support reforms, such as the Review of the Australian Heavy Vehicle Driver Competency Framework, Crane Licensing Reforms and the Comprehensive review of the Australian Dangerous Goods Code.

The Rail Committee was hosted by Pacific National. The recently commenced Digital Capability and Mutual Recognition projects were discussed and what additional actions might be required to ensure successful outcomes. It was identified that further research and analysis is required to better understand workforce dynamics, inform responses to Trainer and Assessor capability gaps, underutilisation of some rail units and qualifications, and improving pathways between schools, VET and Higher Education. There was also discussion about opportunities provided by Australia’s energy transformation to reskill workers from declining industries.

2024 Workforce Plans are available to download from the ISA website.

Hiring outside the box – why mental health matters Webinar

Focusing on mental health in the workplace is crucial for several reasons. It not only enhances employee well-being but also boosts productivity, reduces absenteeism, and fosters a positive work environment.

The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) will be holding a webinar on 9 October about why mental health matters in the workplace.

Gain insights from industry experts and employers about practical wellbeing strategies to ensure a safe and positive work environment.

Event Details
Date: Wednesday 9 October 2024
Time: AEDT 1 pm to 1:30 pm

How to Register
Please fill out the form via the registration button below with your details to secure your spot. Registration is free. You’re encouraged to register early.

Register now

If you have any questions or need further information, please reach out to Engagement@dewr.gov.au