An industry-led skills agenda

Abstract

The Australian hydrocarbon industry is dynamic in its existing and planned growth. The need for a sustainable, highly skilled, safe and work-ready workforce is critical to the success of the industry for now and the future. Every nation blessed with hydrocarbon resources should view its hydrocarbon industry as a national treasure to be nurtured for the benefit and prosperity of the nation and its people through maximising it’s in-country value. While there are many strands to creating sustainable in-country value, at the core of any sustainability is the skills development of the workforce. Improving the volume of local products and services is critical to creating lasting in-country value and this will only be achieved by the supply of a skilled, qualified and competent workforce from a world-class learning infrastructure. Such an infrastructure must be created in full alignment with an industry-led skills agenda aligned to business needs, integrated with education and training providers, supported by government and the education system, and managed by a focused independent industry skills body. This extended abstract describes a model for creating such a national skills infrastructure. It shows how this work will be led and owned by the collective industry as they will set the skills agenda and the priorities. Finally it identifies the benefits for business, for employees, and for the nation itself as hydrocarbon resources are nurtured for the long-term prosperity of all.