Continuing skills shortages

The oil and gas industry is facing unprecedented growth in liquefied natural gas and coal seam gas projects across Australia, but is competing for labour with many mining and infrastructure projects that are also planned for construction over the next five years.

A skills capability gap exists at a highly technical and senior level. There will also be a growing demand for technical personnel in oil and gas plant process operations and maintenance, and supervisors with appropriate levels of technical and safety experience and front-line management skills.

In the operational phase of projects, the industry continues to face skills gaps and shortages in professional disciplines such as geosciences and various forms of engineering, as well as increasing competition for electrical and process technicians.

APPEA argues that Australia must look to a range of solutions to build a sustainable workforce with a depth of skills that allows for adaptability and movement between industry sectors and supported as needed by skilled migration.

APPEA welcomes new Australian Government programs such as included the $200 million Critical Skills Fund, the Adult Apprenticeship Project and the Gladstone Workforce Skilling Strategy.

These programs provide a strategic approach to addressing the resources sector’s immediate and long-term skills needs. It makes sense for industry and government to co-operate in training the people needed to make major resources projects viable. APPEA looks forward to working with the Australian Government to build a stronger and more productive resources sector.

• National Apprenticeship Plan briefing paper