The Federal Government has introduced the Jobs and Skills Australia Bill 2022 to the Parliament which repeals the National Skills Commissioner Act 2020.

Minister for Skills and Training Brendan O’Connor said while the National Skills Commissioner has performed an important advisory function since the office was established in 2020, to address the economic challenges facing Australia, a more strategic focus on the future workforce and skills is needed.

“We need genuine cooperation and collaboration amongst industry, employers, unions, state and territory governments, education and training providers, and others.

“The creation of Jobs and Skills Australia will contribute to ensuring we deliver on this important goal, and repealing the National Skills Commissioner Act is a necessary part of the pathway forward.”

Jobs and Skills Australia is set to establish a new statutory body within the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations. Once established, its functions will include an advisory role, providing independent advice to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations and the Minister for Skills and Training or to the Secretary of the Department in relation to a range of current and emerging labour market and workforce skills and training issues to improve employment opportunities for individuals and help drive economic growth.

The Australian Resources and Energy Employer Association’s (AREEA) Chief Executive Steve Knott said employment in the Australian resources and energy industry is experiencing unprecedented growth.

“Nationally the industry has grown by nearly 20,000 directly employed workers in the past quarter alone.

“Over the two years from May 2020 to May 2022, the industry has grown by 66,000 workers or nearly 30 per cent. Nobody saw this coming when we were starting down the barrel of a global pandemic.”

Last week AREEA released new modelling showing 107 new and expansion major resources and energy projects will drive demand for at least 15,000 new employees over the next two years, and conservatively 24,000 employees over five years.

When factoring in the construction workforces required to build new projects, the total job creation could be near 100,000.

“The resources industry is already battling though the worse skills crisis in a generation. Factoring in expected additional demand from new projects and expansions, the industry and government will need to work more closely together on skills solutions than ever before,” Mr Knott said.

“A wide range of responses will be necessary, including aligning VET-system outcomes with current and emerging industry shortages, more efficient mutual recognition of qualifications, skilled migration reform and more.”