New research identifies skill shortage solutions
Funded by the Federal Government and researched by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) the research report focuses on the Australian printing industry as a case study illustrating the skills shortage problem and advocating possible solutions.
Printing Industries general manager Queensland and national training manager, Neal McLary, said the Queensland-based project was researched nationally. Its findings will be the subject of evaluation by a special focus group formed by Printing Industries Queensland Regional Council examining the research and its lessons for better training for the Industry.
Titled Understanding and Resolving the Skills Shortage in the Australian Printing Industry, the report was written by Professor Victor Callan of the University of Queensland.
Prof Callan said the skills shortages should be viewed in the wider context of technological change in the industry, which is altering the type of skills demanded by employers. He found that, while employers will invest in new technology, they do not complement this with a matching investment in workforce training.
He also pointed to a range of factors other than the provision of training that would improve the relative attractiveness of the printing industry to young people looking for a career.
McLary said the report highlights the fact that there is no “silver bullet” solution to solve the shortage.
“There are a number of recommended approaches but fundamentally what’s needed is a coordinated response from employers and training providers looking at both short and long term strategies to maintain the necessary change momentum,” he said.
“The report makes the point that we need to focus our attention on the three big-picture areas; firstly strategic responses, secondly actions by employers (workplace-based solutions) and finally a rethinking and broadening of approaches to training (training solutions).”
Among the training solutions suggested are a rethink of existing training models and methods of training; flexible delivery; accelerated apprenticeships facilitated by better use of off-the-job training; training plans; credit transfers and recognition of current competencies.
The research advocates an expansion of Vocational Education and Training (VET) in Schools and school-based apprenticeships, an initiative also dependent on increased attention to other issues such as the image of the industry, improved industry–school partnerships and improved apprenticeship pay.
Under Strategic Responses the report advocates continued investment in technology, but tempered by a renewed investment in other areas such as staff training, waste reduction, and improved customer processes for customer management.
Continued diversification into the services and communication industry is seen as necessary to cement the future of the industry and will lead to the provision of more attractive and skilled positions for staff. The report recommends expansion of the role of Australian Apprenticeship Centres to provide more support for marketing and promotion of apprenticeships in the printing industry, including building relationships with key players in the school-to-work transition.
Workplace-Based Solution recommendations include more interesting and challenging work, better working conditions, supportive and skilled supervisors for training, opportunities for advancement into challenging careers, satisfactory remuneration and working hours.
McLary said the report confirms that staff turnover in industry is at its highest levels among new employees.
“It also highlights the trend among employers to use the purchase of new technology as their major strategy for responding to skills shortages,” he said.
“The level of technology available for training apprentices emerges as a major concern for the providers of training. TAFE institutes were the major training provider for the research and with a few exceptions most reported a lack of support by their institutions for investment in new technology and infrastructure.”
While the use of workplace learning and assessment using the equipment of employers was a solution, McLary said this really didn’t help smaller printing firms, which often do not have access to modern equipment.
Understanding and Resolving the Skills Shortage in the Australian Printing Industry can be downloaded here. For more information contact Neal McLary on (07) 3356 0022 or nmclary@printnet.com.au
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