Partnership for strong advanced manufacturing workforce

Felix Ellis, Minister for Skills, Training and Workforce Growth

A collaborative partnership agreement focused on skills, training and workforce development for the advanced manufacturing industry was today launched between the Rockliff Liberal Government and industry.

The partnership between the Tasmanian Minerals, Manufacturing and Energy Council (TMEC), Bell Bay Advanced Manufacturing Zone (BBAMZ), Tasmanian Maritime Network (TMN), Tasmanian Agricultural Productivity Group (TAPG) and the Tasmanian Government shows a strong new approach to skills and workforce development for the industry.

Minister for Skills, Training and Workforce Development, Felix Ellis, said the Advanced Manufacturing Industry Skills Compact and associated action plan signalled the industry’s commitment to work in partnership with the government for a stronger future.

“For the advanced manufacturing industry, the uptake of technology and rapid pace of change means that Tasmania’s training system needs to be flexible and able to respond to the changing demands of the market”, Minister Ellis said.

“This agreement will ensure that effort and investments in training are focused to maximise the benefit for employers and employees and build a workforce system that will meet the current and future needs of the industry.

“Our vision is for a training and workforce development system that is accessible, job-focussed and responsive, supporting a stronger pathway to jobs and skills for all Tasmanians.

“We want to empower industry to drive workforce development, and make sure we’re got the right training being delivered for new and existing employees to take our state into the future,” Minister Ellis said.

Key actions under the compact include establishing an advanced manufacturing sector work experience and placement program, and driving new engagement opportunities for advanced manufacturing peaks.

Minister for Advanced Manufacturing and Defence Industries, Madeleine Ogilvie, said the recently released Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Development Plan 2023-2026 provided key direction for the skills compact.

“We have worked closely with industry in developing both the plan and compact to ensure they identify critical labour and skills shortages facing the industry and ways to address these challenges,” Minister Ogilvie said.

“The agreement and action plan are based on three core principles: building capability in the training sector to support industry, promoting career pathways and ensuring training remains up-to-date.

“The Advanced Manufacturing Industry Skills Compact signals a commitment that the industry, employers, and the training needs of the workforce are a priority for future growth.

“The compact provides an agreed framework between industry and government to deliver a sustainable and highly skilled current and future workforce in Tasmania,” Minister Ogilvie said.

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