1. Nick James – Ai Group Senior Economist

2. 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.

3. Key findings

4. Awareness of emerging technologies

5. Likely emerging technology use

6. Importance of emerging technology skills to business success

7. Do Australian firms have the skills required for emerging technologies?

8. Frequency of training to cope with emerging technologies

9. Company priorities for upskilling employees

10. Methods used effectively to meet emerging technology skills needs

11. Status of training for emerging technology use

12. Methods of introducing new emerging technologies to existing employees

13. Success of training methods introducing emerging technology skills to existing employees

14. Importance of technical skills in working with emerging technologies

15. Shortage of technical skills required for working with emerging technologies

16. Importance of generic skills to emerging technologies

17. Shortage of generic skills required by emerging technologies

18. Barriers to upskilling employees in emerging technologies

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. 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.