Page 13 - Climate Control News magazine April 2023

In Focus
Time to get radical about skills crisis
THE ADVANCED MANUFACTURING Schools Outreach Program is encouraging students in secondary schools to explore a meaningful career in the trades.
With a skills crisis impacting a raft of labour markets across Australia, industry is calling for the program to be rolled out nationally. It is cur- rently operating in New South Wales and an information day held on 28 March, 2023 gener-
ated a lot of interest.
Weld Australia CEO, Geoff Crittenden, said there
is no magic solution to Australia’s skills crisis. “We need a radical approach. 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 see- ing in industries like defence and renewables, let alone the $237 billion pipeline of government
infrastructure,” he said.
“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.
“Unless action is taken now, Australia will be at least 70,000 welders short by 2030. And weld- ing is just one trade: similar skills deficit can be found in just about every trade across the nation.”
Crittenden said parents need to understand that a career as a tradesperson is full of poten- tial and a whole raft of exciting opportunities.
LEFT:
A career as a tradesperson opens the door to a wide range of exciting opportunities.
BELOW LEFT: Weld Australia CEO, Geoff Crittenden.
The Advanced Manufacturing School Outreach Program relies upon the use of aug- mented reality welding simulators to provide young people with a real welding experience. To date, 82 welding simulators are installed at 40 high schools across New South Wales.
The technology is also being utilised by stu- dents in years 10-12 to support the delivery of Manufacturing and Engineering and Industrial Technology (Metal), as part of MEM20413 Certificate II in Engineering Pathways.
MENTORING FEMALE APPRENTICES
CLIMATE CONTROL NEWS
APRIL 2023
CATERING FOR EVERYONE
Tasmanian-based manufacturing business, Nyrstar Australia, has constructed purpose built amenities for their female staff following a 100 per cent increase in women joining the metals processing company since 2018.
The new facility which kicked off with a $695,000 capital investment was completed last month in time for International Women’s Day.
It has 100 lockers, eight showers and toilet facilities to cater for women working across its operations.
Nyrstar has seen a 40 per cent increase in female employees in the last 12 months.
An apprentice supported by not for profit organisation, VERTO, which is encouraging more women to take up a trade.
Charles Darwin University (CDU) has a new Women in Trades mentoring program.
The new program connects young women commencing their apprenticeships with women working in the NT trades sector.
CDU Careers Centre has partnered with the NT chapter of the National Association of
Charles Darwin University
Women in Construction to facilitate the new initiative and support female apprentices in non-traditional TAFE disciplines such as construction and refrigeration.
CDU employability programs officer Caroline Thompson said the new mentoring program offers an opportunity for female apprentices
from various disciplines to meet and to hear from experienced female tradespeople who have already walked the path of the apprentices.
“For some women, it can feel a little overwhelming to walk into a predominately male classroom and workplace in industries such as construction, transport, electrotechnology and plumbing,” Thompson said. ✺
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