Industry Skills Australia (ISA), a newly established Jobs and Skills Council dedicated to Australia’s transport and logistics sectors, is set to officially launch in Hobart today, marking a crucial step towards enhancing workforce development in these industries.
ISA’s primary objective is to engage with Tasmanian industry stakeholders to gather valuable insights that will inform the federal government’s forthcoming National Workforce Development Plan, slated for release next year, ISA revealed in a news release.
At the helm of this initiative, ISA, owned and led by industry experts, has a broad mandate encompassing transport and logistics, covering road, rail, aviation, and maritime, as well as omnichannel logistics, and space transport industries.
The council’s core role is to foster collaboration among employers, labour unions, educational institutions, and industry leaders.
Together, they will identify the evolving skill requirements of these sectors and work on developing training solutions to meet these dynamic needs.
Paul Walsh, chief executive of ISA, emphasised the importance of launching in Hobart and actively engaging with Tasmania’s industry representatives.
“The job we have been given by the Australian Government is to design solutions in collaboration with industry to help develop an agile and highly-skilled supply chain workforce for the modern world. To succeed in our task we know we must understand the unique needs of industry in smaller states and regional areas,” Walsh said.
He further added, “Tasmanian industry is at the forefront of so many exciting aspects of this challenge, and we know it’s vital to listen to industry about what possible solutions can be put in place to deal with skills bottlenecks and barriers.”
“We also want to better understand some of the great examples of skills innovation and progression happening in Tasmania. We know great ideas can come from anyone and anywhere,” Walsh noted.
In the months ahead, ISA said it will embark on a nationwide quest to identify the current and future skills needs of industries across Australia.
This comprehensive analysis will serve as the foundation for crafting workforce development solutions, including training programs aimed at equipping both new and existing workers with top-tier skills.
Brian Mitchell, member for Lyons, who will be present at the launch event today, commended the establishment of Industry Skills Australia as the Jobs and Skills Council for the transport and logistics sector.
He also highlighted the wealth of experience that the organisation brings to this pivotal role.
“I want to congratulate Industry Skills Australia for its establishment as the transport and logistics Jobs and Skills Council, which recognises the 30-plus years’ of experience the organisation brings to the role,” Mitchell said.
“JSCs like Industry Skills Australia will have the privilege and responsibility to help shape and direct the skills sector, providing valuable leadership and advice in a time where we face severe skills shortages,” he concluded.
