From The CEO: Attracting the next generation of manufacturing talent

Two initiatives are now being developed and discussed and they are outlined below.

Young Industry Ambassador Program

A Young Industry Ambassador Program will generate an interest in a career in manufacturing. Imagine 50 young people from our industry who have the passion and drive to speak to other young people about their journey and experience so far. The intention is to have these ambassadors go through a public speaking course to give them the confidence and skills to present themselves. WIN.

Imagine hundreds of high schools around the country that are on a database for communication around manufacturing careers and thus having the opportunity to have a Young Ambassador come and talk to their students. Imagine career advisors being better educated about the many career options available through our industry. WIN.

Imagine 100 advanced manufacturers around the country prepared to open their doors and have school groups come for a plant tour. The intention will be to cover the costs of travel for students to visit these advanced manufacturers to see first-hand the exciting opportunities that await them. Industry playing their part on showcasing their capabilities and raising the image of manufacturing in this country. WIN.

Imagine the feed into the TAFE network around the country once these young people are stimulated and demand for courses is increased. WIN.

Imagine those same advanced manufacturers, and others, who have apprenticeships and jobs to offer so that when an interest is stimulated in a young person, there is a logical pathway into further education and work. WIN.

Getting new entrants into the manufacturing industry is not a short-term activity. Now the challenge is “How do we fund this activity”?

Well, that needs to be a combination of industry, educators and government that come together and drive this program for several years. It won’t happen without the support from all stakeholders.

Re-Skilling for Industry Program

Imagine if we could work with government agencies to identify long-term unemployed people and re-skill them into manufacturing jobs. The intention will be to find people that have an aptitude for learning. We will put people through a quick aptitude test that lets us know they have the potential to go through some further training. This will allow them to come off unemployment benefits. WIN

Imagine if we had funding to provide a 10 week course to these people that skilled them in basic CNC operation or sheetmetal fabrication. We could deliver these courses through the TAFE networks around the country in combination with industry providers of new technology. This would have the potential of rejuvenating the system where TAFE and industry work closer together in the delivery of training. WIN.

Imagine if we had manufacturers lined up with jobs to offer so that when the training is complete these people walked straight into work. Industry is crying out about skill shortages in CNC operation, metal workers and welders. The intention will be to ensure the demand is met over the next few years at least, eliminating the short-term skill shortages we are currently experiencing. WIN.

The same challenge as the previous initiative arises. “How do we fund this Program”? The answer is the same. Without government funding, these Programs cannot run on the level they need to in order for significant improvement to be made.

We will continue working with Government Departments around the country to progress these Programs and make a difference to our industry.

Any feedback on either of these initiatives is most welcome. Please send comments to Shane Infanti at sinfanti@amtil.com.au