Consultation as part of BuildSkills Australia’s VET Future Readiness Review has concluded, and it’s clear that change in the building, construction, property and water industries remains a constant that we can better prepare for.
Last month, the team from BuildSkills travelled around the country meeting with more than 110 workshop attendees, followed by a further 100 in an online webinar this month.
Just fewer than 650 responses to our survey were received, providing valuable insights and expertise that will inform our evaluation on the extent to which industry relevant training packages – CPP, CPC, RII and NWP – are delivering the skills industry needs for the future.
Greek philosopher Heraclitus said, ‘there is nothing permanent except change’, and it seems this is relevant for the building, construction, property and water industries.
Of the employees surveyed, 72 per cent felt the technologies, activities and/or ways of working in their occupation have changed significantly. With these changes predominantly being around automation and digitisation.
When it comes to learning how to roll with these changes, our stakeholders from across the industries, agreed there needed to be a cultural shift to embed lifelong learning.
There was feedback on the accredited training system, with concerns that it can be slow to respond to emerging technologies and not always fit for purpose. It’s important that we can get ahead of future changes and embed more flexible and responsive training products earlier.
On the flip side, it was reported that the market system of non-accredited changes has been responding to demand well. It was also reported that employees learning how to adapt to changes in the workplace, and upskilling, happens most often with on the job training.
While planning for future industry change will take time, right now communication and collaboration were identified as the most essential skill to enable emerging technologies.
To everyone who attended BuildSkills’ workshops or provided input into the surveys, we thank you for taking the time out of your schedules and sharing your insights and expertise.
BuildSkills is currently distilling these insights into a final report with recommendations to ensure the training system keeps up with the building, construction, property and water industries’ rapidly evolving jobs and skills requirements.
ENDS
Media Contact: Chris Reid | +61 411 284 474 | chrisr@buildskills.com.au
