Nominations have opened for the state government’s Women in Manufacturing Apprentice Awards 2026, which recognises outstanding female apprentices in the Queensland manufacturing workforce. The two awards on offer are: Leading Apprentice Award winner ($10,000 prize); and The Highly Commended Apprentice Award for the runner-up ($5,000 prize) “These awards are about celebrating the trailblazing women leading…
The Manufacturing Industry Skills Alliance – one of the federally-appointed Jobs and Skills Councils (JSCs) – has launched a new campaign aiming to “challenge outdated stereotypes” attached to the industry. According to a statement from MISA on Tuesday, its Make It ManuFACTuring campaign hopes to communicate the possibility of a modern, “future-focused” career in the…
The NSW government has announced a new Renewable Energy Skills Legacy Program, which it says will benefit regional workers and students in the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ.) According to a statement on Friday, the $2.9 million program will provide “training, jobs and inclusive opportunities” by delivering training, apprenticeships and career pathways related to…
The Manufacturing Industry Skills Alliance (MISA) has launched its 2025 Workforce Plan – Pathways to Transformation report, identifying its five priorities to strengthen the industry, modernise training, close skills gaps and attract the next generation of workers. According to a statement from MISA – one of the federally-appointed Jobs and Skills Councils (JSCs) – on…
The Australian Industry Group’s Centre for Education and Training has released new research on the experiences of the employers of Australian apprentices, showing they believe the system is “becoming increasingly costly and complex” at a time where the nation risks “falling well short of delivering the skilled workforce needed to lift our flagging productivity”. The…
The Victorian government has opened the second round of the Skills Solutions Partnerships Program, a $4.75 million initiative supporting industry partnerships with the state’s TAFEs and dual sector universities “to co-design and pilot” short courses addressing skills gaps. According to a statement from state industry minister Colin Brooks on Monday, the program targets priority sectors…
There has been a 14.3 percent increase in apprentice and trainee commencements in the June 2024 quarter, when compared with the June 2023 quarter, according to new data from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER). The apprentices and trainees 2024: June quarter report shows commencements increased across most occupations, with trade commencements up…
The Industry and Science Minister Ed Husic has tasked his department and industry to develop a National AI Capability Plan, aiming to grow investment in AI capabilities to help promote economic and productivity growth. Husic said there were around 650 AI companies headquartered in Australia and in the five years to 2023 foreign investors contributed…
The NSW and federal governments have announced that they will spend $28.1 million each over five years to establish a Hunter Net Zero Manufacturing Centre of Excellence in Newcastle, aimed at developing workforce skills needed to support the energy transition. According to a release from the state government on Tuesday, the funding will “accelerate the…
Four-wheel-drive tray and canopy manufacturer Norweld says it has more than doubled its workforce in the last two years, and is emphasising work-life balance-related perks to attract the right tradespeople. The half-century-old company said on Tuesday that it is “pulling out all the stops” to ensure staffing demands are met at its eight locations, and…