The Manufacturing Industry Skills Alliance (Manufacturing Alliance) is on a mission to transform the manufacturing sector. As the manufacturing industry’s jobs and skills council, their goal is simple — to create training programs that improve training quality and swiftly bring these programs to market. All of this is done while meticulously aligning with the set standards by the skills ministers, ensuring they meet the industry’s needs.
In line with this, the alliance has rolled out its fiscal year 2022 to 2023 training development plan. This strategic roadmap is set to address workforce challenges while enhancing the quality of the training programs.
What’s in the FY 2022 to 2023 Training Product Development Plan?
The comprehensive training development plan not only details the upcoming training products and their timelines but also dives into the industry’s pressing demand for these initiatives. The scope of the work to be undertaken and the rationale behind prioritisation are also laid out in this significant roadmap.
Here’s a quick summary of what the plan contains:
1. Trade-Related CNC Skills Review
This aims to develop around ten units linked to 21 qualifications within the MEM training package. The drive behind this effort is to address gaps in skills within engineering mechanical trade roles, which have emerged due to rapid technological changes, particularly in automation. Currently, essential computer numerically controlled (CNC) skills are mostly found in higher-level MEM qualifications, but the evolving landscape demands these skills at the apprentice and base trade levels.
The immediate priority is to update CNC machine setting, operating, and programming skills at the base trade level, enabling industry growth and facilitating transitions into advanced manufacturing technology. With a fast-track priority status, this project, which commenced on 30 June 2023, is set to be completed on 31 June 2024.
2. Non-Destructive Testing Skills
The project entails updating 19 units linked to 10 qualifications and one skill set within MEM. Australia recently adopted the international standards for NDT (ISO 9712:2021), which changed the certification requirements for NDT technicians. It’s now vital that the qualifications and units under MEM align with these updated standards to stay relevant, ensuring technicians, both at trade and post-trade levels, have the skills and knowledge required by the industry.
This project is also a high priority and is on the fast track due to its significance in matching the newly adopted international standards. It started on 30 June 2023, intending to wrap up by 31 January 2024.
For the complete review details and the qualifications included, check out the Annual Training Product Development Plan 22/23.
How is the Training Product Development Carried Out
All the projects are set to follow the training product development methodology, ensuring they are in line with the training package organising framework’s guidelines. It’s a strategic move that promises to shape the future of training in the industry.
Here are the various stages of the development process:
1. Getting started
- Create initial draft products following the training product development plan.
- Form a technical committee.
2. Gathering input from public and government consultation
- Follow the consultation strategy, and share draft products with various stakeholders for feedback.
3. Listening and Refining
- Revise products based on received feedback.
- Publish a summary of the feedback on the website.
- Decide if more input is needed.
4. Expert Evaluation
- Collect input from Commonwealth, state, and territory authorities.
- Adjust products according to the feedback.
5. Final Stages
- Present the polished draft products to skills ministers for endorsement or recommendation.
The Manufacturing Industry Skills Alliance is all about tackling the manufacturing workforce’s significant challenges. They’re using these strategies to identify what skills will be needed in the future and ensure workers are ready for the fast-changing industry.
Collaboration with Registered Training Organisations
Also, an integral aspect of the alliance’s approach involves fostering close collaboration with registered training organisations (RTOs). This effort ensures that training aligns with employer demands, career paths are clearly defined and highlighted, and the effectiveness of the training is consistently evaluated.
Empowering a Competent Workforce
The manufacturing jobs and skills council is crucial to empowering the workforce. It’s all about closing skill gaps, creating top-notch training products, and building strong partnerships between industry players and training institutions. With these goals, the manufacturing sector will have a skilled and flexible workforce ready to tackle the complex challenges of today’s industry with assurance.
