Nick James – Ai Group Senior Economist

Introduction In late 2008, Ai Group conducted a survey to identify how Australian firms source the skills to work effectively with emerging technologies. Insights into the capacity of the vocational education & training system to meet training needs in relation to emerging technologies were also sought. Findings were based on the responses of almost 300 companies, of varying size, across all the manufacturing, services and construction sectors.

Key findings

Awareness of emerging technologies

Likely emerging technology use

Importance of emerging technology skills to business success

Do Australian firms have the skills required for emerging technologies?

Frequency of training to cope with emerging technologies

Company priorities for upskilling employees

Methods used effectively to meet emerging technology skills needs

Status of training for emerging technology use

Methods of introducing new emerging technologies to existing employees

Success of training methods introducing emerging technology skills to existing employees

Importance of technical skills in working with emerging technologies

Shortage of technical skills required for working with emerging technologies

Importance of generic skills to emerging technologies

Shortage of generic skills required by emerging technologies

Barriers to upskilling employees in emerging technologies

Key conclusions Australian companies are highly aware of new energy and new environmental technologies, particularly large firms. Unfortunately, companies may not have the skills needed to take advantage of emerging technologies, despite considering them important to business success. Most firms believe that training in emerging technologies is required in the short-term.

Key conclusions For some businesses, particularly large firms and services companies, there is demand for continuous training. A large proportion of companies are unaware of their future training challenges. Engineers and managers are the employees prioritised for training in emerging technologies.

Key conclusions Retraining existing staff on the job and recruiting people already trained are the most popular methods for meeting emerging technology needs. Informal in-house training is the preferred method of training, although companies also frequently use formal training, both externally and in-house. Both technical and generic skills are considered important for working with emerging technologies. Adapting to change and problem solving skills are ranked the most important and also the most lacking.