The MOU was signed on 19 September at the steel industry’s premier annual event, the Australian Steel Convention at the Marriott Surfers Paradise by ASA General Manager, James Moran and ASI Chief Executive, Tony Dixon in the presence of Australian Assistant Minister for Vocational Education and Skills, Karen Andrews MP, who also presented at that conference session.
Dixon said the agreement would particularly benefit Australia’s downstream steel fabrication community in which SME-sized businesses are well represented.
“This level of cooperation will further help to shore up Australia’s offsite fabrication capability as modern building and construction continues to look for ways to cut onsite erection times and alleviate building site congestion,” he said.
“This level of cooperation will further help to shore up Australia’s offsite fabrication capability as modern building and construction continues to look for ways to cut onsite erection times and alleviate building site congestion.”
ASI Chief Executive, Tony Dixon.
“The MOU will also encourage a more coordinated approach to steel-specific trades development to better match the industrial sector’s skills requirements as the market rapidly evolves.
“Such cooperation will also be particularly important to meet the skills needs of our many downstream steel processors and fabricators increasingly investing in advanced automated plant and machinery.”
He said steel fabrication has changed considerably over the past few years as new innovations, such as 3D scanning and BIM models, open up new opportunities for Australian school leavers to participate in these exciting initiatives.
“It will also help to ensure the steel supply chain maximises opportunities to shore up the skills required as more and more seek third-party certification to the new National Structural Steelwork Compliance Scheme,” Dixon said.
He pointed out that as more and more fabricators become certified to the new Australian Standard AS/NZS 5131, demand is increasing for young people to join the new wave of innovation building in the steel fabrication sector.
Apprenticeship Support Australia will provide advice to employers, free of charge, to develop and maintain apprenticeship programs.
“We will work with ASI members to maximise the benefits available nationally with advice on incentives and training options available, linking employers to Registered Training Organisations, registering apprentices as needed and providing mentoring,” Mr Moran said.
Members of ASI will have the choice between having one national contact or multiple state-based contacts to execute their programs.
WIDER TECHNICAL PROGRAM
Trade and professional education has been a traditional strength of the ASI since it grew out of the former technical body, the Australian Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) in the early 2000s.
Whilst the ASI’s role has since expanded to encompass marketing of steel as a material of choice, industry policy advocacy and most recently steelwork compliance, it has maintained a full program of trade and professional education that continues to expand.
THE PROGRAM INCLUDES:
The next phase of the ASI’s technical program development will be the release of a range of eLearning modules expected to commence rolling out by year’s end.
These will initially focus on design professionals but gradually over the coming year, courses will roll out for other stakeholders in the steel supply chain.
“On-demand anytime/anywhere solutions will help democratise our educational offerings and provide increased flexibility for our emerging steel workforce to drive innovation,” Dixon said.
“Such cooperation will also be particularly important to meet the skills needs of our many downstream steel processors and fabricators increasingly investing in advanced automated plant and machinery.”■