On 3 May, a whole of surveying/spatial industry meeting in Brisbane considered seven reports from the Stage 1 work of the Skilled Workforce Development Initiative. The research for these reports is confined to Queensland at this stage, but the application is probably much more universal.
These reports covered different parts of the supply chain and dealt with: Attracting new entrants; Technician training: First degree education and training; Registration and certification; Professional development – post first degree; Supply and demand; and a summary paper
The macro conclusions are:
- There is a serious shortage in all segments of the industry and it is expected to get worse.
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Preliminary modelling indicates:
– Continuing without change is not really an option, as that would seriously exacerbate an already serious skills shortage.
– Even a best-case scenario indicates serious shortfalls of highly skilled workers. - Change is necessary, as is whole-of-industry skilled workforce planning and development.
- Much of the necessary change is reasonably large and needs to occur in all parts of the supply chain that produces the skilled workforce – these changes need to be conducted in a coordinated manner.
- Much of the change is structural and will take time to agree, then to put in place, and longer still to see the impact. However, there are a number of issues that can be addressed in the short term that will have a beneficial effect.
Each paper suggests an industry requirement, examines the current situation, identifies issues and options, and makes recommendations for improvement and activities for Stage 2.
Comments are invited on these papers by 10 June. Comments will be examined at the next whole-of-industry meeting on 13 July.
The papers can be downloaded from http://www.spatialinfoservices.com.au/reports.html
Comments should be sent to qsic@qld.gov.au or call (07) 3896 3774, and to discuss content please contact Dr Ken Lyons klsis@attglobal.net.
