Weld Australia says much more needs to be done to cope with shortages in the industry. This comes after the Federal Government announced its Energy Apprenticeships Program, which involves a $95 million across nine years into 10,000 new apprenticeships.
Weld Australia CEO Geoff Crittenden welcomed the program, but was firm in his stance that there was dire need for improvement.
“There is no magic solution to Australia’s skills crisis,” he said.
“The same old approach that we’ve taken for years will not arm Australia with the skilled workers needed to deliver the record number of projects we’re seeing in industries like defence, renewables and infrastructure.”
“A veritable army of skilled workers, including welders, will be required to build and install the infrastructure needed to achieve the Federal Government’s 43 per cent emissions reductions target by 2030 and net zero by 2050.”
Welding Australia has proposed a number of changes to combat the skills shortage including an overhaul of training courses, and investment in TAFE across the country.
Many welding-related courses benefitted from being added to the Apprenticeship Priority List earlier this year.
This included welder, pressure welder, metal fabricator, metal mechanist, blacksmith and more.
“The skills crisis is not unique to Australia; the US fabrication industry will face a shortage of 500,000 welders by 2030, and by 2050 Japan will need around 250,000 welders,” Crittenden said.
“This global shortfall of welders is driving most developed nations to implement extraordinary measures to resolve it. Australia must follow suit.
“We need a practical, actionable plan that can be implemented now to overcome the welder skills shortage—a plan that delivers more than just financial support to employers.”
For more information, visit weldaustralia.com.au