ASI Initiatives
Steel Skills Strategic Initiatives
Queensland
The ASI prepared a submission to the Manufacturing Skills Queensland (MSQ) Training Plan. The submission summarises ASI’s education and training initiatives and calls on MSQ to support the delivery of a comprehensive training plan that addresses the evolving needs of the steel industry workforce. Please contact John Gardner johng@steel.org.au for more information.
South Australia
ASI fabricator and manufacturing members provided enthusiastic support, including representation at the 2024 Adelaide Careers and Employment Expo, as part of a Student Pathways Hub funded by the SA Dept for Education. The Expo had approximately 8,800 students registered to visit with 700 teachers.
The ASI received great support from fabricators and manufacturers in Adelaide in the development of young trade skills via engagement with the newly constructed and opened SA Findon Technical College. These employers are providing one-day per week work experience to the students, depending on the student’s home location and proximity to the business site. The technical colleges will support students in years 10 to 12 to complete their South Australian Certificate of Education while undertaking vocational education and training in specialist state-of-the-art facilities.
If you are interested in providing one-day per week work experience to the Findon Technical College students in Years 10 & 11 of Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering and/or connecting with the College, please contact Sulfianda Soeleiman sulfiandas@steel.org.au
Victoria
To promote and encourage steel skills and careers, the ASI sponsored the welding and construction metal work categories of the WorldSkills 2024 Global Skills Challenge which was held in Melbourne from 23rd to 26th May 2024. ASI’s partnership agreement with WorldSkills includes this years 47th WorldSkills International Competition in Lyon, France.
The ASI in conjunction with registered training organisation (RTO) Kangan Institute have set up a Victorian Government subsidised Cert II Engineering (Roll Forming) Training Course which commenced in March 2024 for ASI Victorian Roll forming members to upskill existing employees.
If you are interested in this initiative or similar training requirements for next Calendar Year, please contact Sulfianda Soeleiman sulfiandas@steel.org.au
Western Australia
The ASI is engaging with VET teachers in order to organise “Try a Trade” events and workshop/office tours.
The ASI organised workshop tours for Engineering students from Curtin University. Members are encouraged to engage with this activity. Also, students need to accrue hands on experience and may be a valuable addition to fabricators, detailer, and consultant members via work experience.
If you are interested in this initiative or similar training requirements for next Calendar Year, please contact James England jamese@steel.org.au
State Government Advocacy for Local Steel Content, Sustainability, and Quality Assurance
New South Wales
The ASI provided a submission in March to the Inquiry into the procurement practices of government agencies in New South Wales and its impact on the social development of the people of New South Wales. In the submission, the ASI provided examples of some of the issues that have occurred with the current procurement practices over recent years. These issues relate primarily to:
– Loss of significant opportunities to stimulate skilled employment, business investment, and local economic activity in NSW regions due to fabricated steelwork being imported rather than sourced locally.
– Maintenance and rectification costs in excess of 150% of the original cost of installation being incurred due to lack of in-service performance specifications being included in procurement requirements.
The ASI has subsequently been invited to give evidence at a hearing for the inquiry. For additional information on this inquiry, please contact David Varcoe davidv@steel.org.au
Queensland
The Queensland Government has advised in writing that all new vertical infrastructure projects or significant upgrades for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games will target six star (world leadership) Green Star for Buildings ratings from the Green Building Council of Australia. Sustainable construction materials including steel will need to be sourced across the infrastructure program to meet this commitment.
As part of this process ASI’s Sustainability team has been engaging with the Queensland government on the benefits of the ASI Steel Sustainability Australia (SSA) scheme. Please contact John Gardner johng@steel.org.au for more information.
South Australia
ASI members in SA are invited to connect with state government agencies and head contractors delivering state-funded projects at a Meet the Buyer event organised by the SA Office of the Industry Advocate on 2nd July, to enhance growth and collaboration within the local industry. Details: Meet the Buyer 2024 | Industry Advocate.
Victoria
Successful outcomes from a series of Spark North-East Link Steel Industry Forums held in FY2023-2024, with the ASI, key steel manufacturers BlueScope and InfraBuild, and local steel fabricators, together with multinational construction consortium Spark resulting in clear visibility of steel specific requirements totalling more than 200,000 tonnes.
Continuing to engage the Victoria Government on the Local Steel Enhancement Policy implementation which has resulted in any work packages associated with strategic Victorian Government projects released for tender to clearly specify the requirements for local steel content, for example a ‘minimum requirement of 90% of local steel content using locally milled and locally fabricated-processed steel’.
Western Australia
The ASI is representing members by taking part in the Advanced Manufacturing Council recently inaugurated by Minister Dawson. The Advanced Manufacturing Council is a key strategic advisory group for the consideration of initiatives to build WA’s advanced manufacturing capability, capacity and competitiveness. Sustainability and traceability will be a focus area for the ASI along with boosting local capability and capacity.
The ASI is representing members in the areas of windfarm and rail wagon manufacture. Significant opportunities will arise as windfarm developments commence, there is potential for tens of thousands of tonnes of steelwork to be required, ASI is seeking to engage with OEMs via the Department of Jobs. Rail wagon manufacture is about to receive a significant boost in WA with several hundred wagons slated for local manufacture following successful lobbying by the ASI for this work to be done locally.
