A design trial to improve the nation’s training system in the mining sector is set to benefit the industry by addressing existing and future workforce challenges.

A qualification design trial was now underway as part of the Morrison Liberal National Government’s Skills Organisations Pilots, which are helping the nation’s training system respond to industry needs.

This is about better meeting the current and future training needs of both workers and businesses in the mining sector.

Technology is changing traditional occupations and demanding new skills.

The Mining Skills Organisation Pilot will help develop and test a new apprenticeship for mobile plant diesel mechanics that incorporates critical skills that cross traditional occupations.

It will be delivered by the Minerals Council of Australia and their partners across the mining industry.

Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, said the Morrison Government was committed to delivering faster and improved training for the Australian mining sector.

“This trial will help simplify and streamline qualifications to provide the mining sector with the skills it needs to flourish,” Minister Cash said.

The trial will test the following concepts:

• Qualifications based on appropriately grouped occupation and skills clusters to enable broader vocational outcomes, improve individual mobility and labour market resilience, and increase the pool of available talent for employers

• Simplified training products that reduce the level of prescriptive conditions in current qualifications and make better use of industry and educational expertise,

• Use of short form training products with improved pathways advice to support students to rapidly upskill or reskill to pursue new career opportunities.

The Trial is just one part of the Morrison Government’s ongoing commitment to improving the existing VET system, including measures to improve industry engagement and provider quality. For more information visit: https://www.skillsreform.gov.au

For more information about Skills Organisations Pilots visit: https://www.dese.gov.au/skills-organisations