1. Roger Harris University of South Australia
Successes and stumbling-blocks: the role of research in informing changes to workforce development practices in industry
Roger Harris
University of South Australia

2. Presentation outline 1. Introduction 2. Context of Australian rail
3. CRC for Rail Innovation and the Workforce Development Program
4. Successes?
5. Stumbling blocks?
6. Conference theme: Role of research in informing changes …?

3. 1. Introduction
Role of research in informing changes to workforce development practices in industry
The Changing Face of Rail (2006): ‘a sustained lack of investment in capability development of the workforce’ (p.71). - expand the perception of capability development beyond training - ‘allow industry stakeholders to come together to begin to discuss and debate issues which are larger than any one operator can address individually’
3 significant themes: sharing knowledge, building capability, promoting harmonisation

4. 2. Context of Australian Rail
Rail – a major national industry:
- 170 companies; 110,000 people
- Transport & Logistics Industry Skills Council:
ageing workforce & insufficient replacements; competition from resources industry; poor industry image; lack of understanding of opportunities available
reports from industry of inadequate focus on workforce development & training
trainers & assessors in demand, but leaving for other industries to seek more favourable pay and conditions
employees are less likely to stay for years with the one employer, and retention is increasingly becoming an issue for employers
reports of a drop in the number of overseas engineers relocating to Australia for a number of reasons relating to rising costs of living, visa changes & competition from other countries with lower taxation environments

5. 3. CRC for Rail Innovation
Consortium: core of 19 rail companies and 7 universities
2007 – 2014 program of research
Federal Government and industry funded: A$113 million
Largest research program in history of Australian rail
Workforce Development Theme - one of 6 research themes
- 22 projects
- Teams of researchers from various universities
- Project Steering Committees from industry
- Applied research and development

6. Workforce development?
New concept in Australia – National Workforce Development Strategies (2010, 2013)
‘... those policies and practices which support people to participate effectively in the workforce and to develop and apply skills in a workplace context, where learning translates into positive outcomes for enterprises, the wider community and for individuals throughout their working lives’
Goes beyond training – a ‘whole of organisation’ approach
Draws on HRD and workforce planning
Umbrella term: where you are where you want to be

8. Set out to achieve the following benefits:
Reduced costs/time
Set out to achieve the following benefits:
Improved efficiency
Increased attraction & retention
Enhanced professional image
Enhanced capability for the future

9. 4. Successes?
Publications: e.g. research reports, journal articles, conference papers
Websites: e.g. Skills Recognition; Mentoring and Coaching; Skilled Migration; Attraction and Industry Image
Online guide: Australasian Career Pathways Guide
4 courses: Safety Management, Track Infrastructure Work; Electrical Traction Engineering; Rail Incident Investigation
75 Higher Degree graduates (and theses)
Collaboration – industry and academia

10. 5. Stumbling blocks? Feasibility Silo mentalities Accountability
Evaluation
Mobility of personnel
Politics
Maintaining consistency
Change takes time!

11. Conference theme: the role of research in informing changes …?
Helps in demystifying and clarifying
Raises questions!
R & D industry doesn’t have time to do
We can lead a horse to water, but …!
OECD recognises Australia as ‘an innovator in WFD and skills utilisation’
What hampers efforts to build on successful experiences and learn from one another is ‘the diversity of views and understandings’ (Skills Australia 2010, Austn. Workforce Futures, p. 71)