VET News

Three More JSCs Set to Help Address the Country's Skills Shortages

The Albanese Labor Government has delivered three more Jobs and Skills Councils to help address skills shortages and broader workforce challenges, covering manufacturing, transport and logistics and mining and automotive sectors.

JSCs are a network of industry-owned and led organisations that will bring together employers and unions to work in partnership with governments and the education and training sectors.

This shows the government’s ongoing commitment to tripartite leadership to find solutions to the workforce challenges and skills needs currently facing industry sectors across Australia.

JSCs will have a strong connection with Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) to align workforce planning for their sectors.

This is an essential first step in determining job roles, skills need and education and training pathways, combining industry-specific intelligence from the JSCs with JSA’s forecasting and modelling.

• Manufacturing JSC: Manufacturing Industry Skills Alliance will work to enable modern manufacturing and associated industries get the right workers with the right skills to ensure Australia’s manufacturing sector will continue to grow through advanced manufacturing and innovation.
• Transport and Logistics JSC: Industry Skills Australia will bring together employer and union leaders from the transport and logistics industries to support workforce planning and skills needs for Australia’s core supply chain sectors, which are critical to supporting the nation’s economy.
• Mining and Automotive JSC: The Mining and Automotive Skills Alliance will work closely with employers and unions to address workforce challenges and skills gaps for industries critical to Australia’s economic and environmental future. The mining and automotive sectors contribute significantly to Australia’s economic prosperity and include industries and occupations that will help achieve our net zero transformation.

The Agribusiness JSC, Skills Insight, was first to become operational and $442 million will be invested over the next four years to establish 10 Jobs and Skills Councils.

Minister for Skills and Training, the Hon. Brendan O'Connor said "These new JSCs will act as a source of intelligence on issues affecting their industries and provide valuable leadership and advice in addressing skills and workforce challenges. JSCs are crucial in making sure industry has the right workers and students are getting opportunities to get a decent, secure job, and have a fulfilling life."

The remaining JSCs are in the process of establishing, and more announcements will be made in the coming weeks.

See full minister's media centre release here.

Date posted Jun 22, 2023