Industry Skills Australia (ISA), the newly created Jobs and Skills Council for Australia’s transport and logistics industries has officially launched in Hobart.
ISA will be seeking to gather the perspectives of Tasmanian industry to inform the National Workforce Development Plans, which will be released in March 2024.
Owned and led by industry, ISA’s scope covers transport and logistics (road, rail, aviation and maritime), omnichannel logistics, and space transport industries. Its role is to bring together employers, unions, educators, and industry leaders to identify the skills needed by industry and to develop training solutions to meet those needs.
ISA Chief Executive Paul Walsh says launching in Hobart and listening to Tasmania was an important initial step.
“The job we’ve been given by the Australian Government is to work with industry to develop a highly-skilled supply chain workforce for the modern world. Greater efficiency and agility in Australia’s supply chains will confer benefit on all industries, individual businesses and help build the nation’s resilience,” Mr Walsh said.
“Tasmanian industry is at the forefront of so many aspects of the workforce development challenge. At the same time, it’s also home to some great examples of innovation and world class approaches to building the skills of the workforce. We’re here to get a deep understanding of both, what’s needed and what already works.”
On why ISA had chosen Hobart to launch, ISA Chair Tony Wilks says, “Our decision to launch here in Tasmania is a deliberate one and embodies our commitment to understanding and meeting the needs of regional, rural and remote Australia and the smaller jurisdictions”.
Member for Lyons Brian Mitchell, speaking at the launch, noted that ISA had important work ahead.
“I want to congratulate Industry Skills Australia for its establishment as the transport and logistics Jobs and Skills Council, which recognises the 30 plus years’ of experience the organisation brings to the role,” Mr Mitchell said.
“JSCs like Industry Skills Australia will have the privilege and responsibility to help shape and direct the skills sector, providing valuable leadership and advice in a time where we face severe skills shortages.”
