MSA consults around the country

Determining skill needs for manufacturing and servicing the vehicles of the future is a key challenge for Manufacturing Skills Australia (MSA) as it develops the training platform for a modern automotive industry.
Implications presented by electric and hybrid vehicles, sustainability and potential legislation stand to change the nature of workforce skills more substantially than we have ever seen before in the automotive industry.
It is issues like these which MSA is engaging with industry representatives as it conducts extensive consultations around the country. MSA has been visiting employers, meeting with industry associations, conducting forums and analysing industry data to ensure that current and meaningful industry intelligence will inform its workforce development priorities.
"It is vital to our work that we know what is happening on the ground and what employers need in their workforce," MSA industry coordinator, Chris Parish said.
"Over the last three months we have seen dozens of local enterprises and key training providers across Western Australia, Victoria and central NSW to discuss training and skilling issues and make sure enterprises know what resources are available to support them."
He said further locations are scheduled for continuing visits.
MSA is keen to help enterprises access initiatives such as the Enterprise Based Productivity Places Program which can provide up to 90 per cent of training costs for targeted development activity. Enterprises are also invited to participate in MSA activity through reference groups, forums, networks and in the review of the automotive training packages which house national qualifications for the automotive industry.
Part 1 of the AUR05 Retail, Service and Repair Training Package Review is now underway with key consultations initially targeting the skill needs of the marine, bicycle and outdoor power equipment sectors. MSA will release a first draft of revised qualifications for these sectors at the end of April and feedback will be invited to guide further development. Current review work will also result in a new Certificate IV in Loss Assessing, a new pre-employment qualification to encourage entrants of young workers into the industry, and inclusion of skills for sustainable work practices. MSA is leading the charge in the targeting and integration of work specific, sustainability skills.
Part 2 of the review, focusing on the remaining industry sectors, will commence after July 2010. MSA is adopting a carefully staged review process to ensure that industry is properly engaged and able to participate in the process.
In other news, MSA has now released its 2010 Environmental Scan document which analyses the current issues and workforce priorities for the automotive industry, along with the manufacturing sectors within MSA's interest area. The Scan can be viewed or downloaded from MSA's website.
Parish and fellow MSA industry co-ordinator Patrick Cummings are available to discuss any views and concerns that industry may have and are available to work directly with employers on their skill development needs. They can be contacted on: 02 9955 5500.
Further information about MSA activities is also available on MSA's website: www.mskills.com.au.