In this episode, Leon Drury discusses the “Future Focus: Recruiting Vocational Trainers for Tomorrow’s Manufacturing Workforce” report, a comprehensive study commissioned by Manufacturing Skills Australia (MSA) and diligently prepared by K. L. O’Reilly-Briggs. This report is born out of our commitment to address the critical challenge of the vocational education and training (VET) teacher shortage, a concern that is pivotal to the sustainability of the manufacturing sector and the broader Australian industry.

The study, conducted between July and December 2023, explores the complexities and nuances of attracting skilled manufacturing workers to the VET teaching profession. It delves into the current state of the VET sector, underscoring the urgent need for a robust pipeline of vocational trainers to ensure the continued excellence and relevance of our manufacturing workforce.

Our research has identified key barriers and enablers influencing the transition of industry professionals into vocational education roles. The findings reveal significant insights, shedding light on the aspirations and hesitations of potential vocational trainers. Armed with this knowledge, we are now better positioned to contribute to the development of targeted strategies that will not only assist in attracting but also retaining top-tier talent within the VET sector.

The recommendations outlined in this report provide a strategic roadmap for MSA, industry stakeholders, and policy-makers. They are designed to foster a conducive environment that encourages industry experts to embark on fulfilling careers in vocational training, thereby securing the future of our manufacturing industry. to read the full report, go to the MSA website: https://www.mskills.org.au/research/

Welcome to MSA's first podcast. The host, Leon Drury, is the executive officer of Manufacturing Skills Australia and interviews two key figures that have played a significant role in the history of the manufacturing and engineering training package. 

These people are Ian Curry, recently retired National Coordinator, Skills Training and Apprenticeships Policy for the AMWU, and Richard Jenkins, Training Consultant, Richard Jenkins and Associates.

In this podcast, we explore the history of the MEM training package and its application in industry, some of the challenges that are faced by industry in getting the skills that are needed, and identify strategies that could potentially help industry with workforce development and job redesign to address current labour shortages.

if you want to explore some of the materials that were referred to in this podcast, please see the following links:

MEM Training Package: https://bit.ly/3UtT0Om
Essential Features Guide: https://bit.ly/447sNZj
Competency standards Implementation Guide: https://bit.ly/3Qj5upx
AMWU: https://bit.ly/3Ut8TVa
AiGroup: https://bit.ly/3Qe4anL
MSA: https://bit.ly/4dbR04S
AMWU Opinion Piece - Skills Reform Part 1.pdf: bit.ly/4a2fzhS
AMWU Opinion Piece - Skills Reform Part 2.pdf: https://bit.ly/3Wiy5iM
AMWU Occupational Profiles: https://bit.ly/3UC7JqL

Creating Informed and Demanding Consumers of Vocational Education and Training