A Transport and Logistics Industry Skills Council discussion paper finds complexity and an aging workforce are ongoing challenges to the industry
By <a href="mailto:agamelopata@acpmagazines.com.au“>Anna Game-Lopata | January 27, 2012
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Transport and Logistics Industry Skills Council (TLISC) E-scan discussion paper finds complexity and an aging workforce are ongoing challenges to the industry.
The annual Environmental Scan (E-Scan) aims to act as an early warning system for the Transport and Logistics Industry, the government and the national training system.
It is a document that provides contemporary and projected advice on the condition of Transport and Logistics sectors, their workforce planning and development needs and, in particular, their projected reliance on the national training system in the next 12 months.
Key findings of this year’s E-scan include the impact of immense diversity in occupations, workforce and development needs, which creates a significant challenge when it comes to creating appropriate career and development opportunities.
“Strong industry growth will challenge the capacity to attract, retain and develop workers,” the paper states.
In addition, an ageing workforce, inadequate exit strategies combined with increased competition for workers, particularly from the resources sector is
requires an improved focus.
The discussion paper says training packages need to consider the emergence of new technologies and ensure that skill sets adapt.
For example, training must consider the incorporation for new ‘green’ jobs that evolve as a result of a low carbon economy and compliance with new regulatory reform agenda, including the establishment of national transport regulators for maritime, rail and road heavy vehicles.
As a result, “keeping abreast of new VET reforms which are focused on a renewed role for industry and new funding models aimed at leveraging industry investment in workforce development” is essential, the discussion paper says.
The paper also points to the development of high quality intelligence and analysis of the labour and skills needs of the industry in the medium term as a key opportunity.
In addition it suggests actively promoting the transport and logistics industry as an attractive, valued and rewarding place to work, especially in order to attract and retain workers from non-traditional sources of the workforce .
The Transport and Logistics industry employs more than half a million Australian workers and over 165,000 businesses make up the industry, which in 2010-11 was worth more than $100 billion.
Stakeholders are invited to submit their comments on the findings outlined in the document by Monday 30th January 2012. Comments can be emailed to leanne.mundy@tlisc.org.au.