Australia's 'strong' demand for key textiles skills
Anticipated future demand for eight industry-specific fashion and textiles manufacturing skills has been escalated to the highest level on Australia’s Skills Priority List this year.
The findings, produced by the National Skills Commission, reveal occupations in shortage across the country and are intended to help inform public policy.
One of three levels of demand – soft, moderate or strong – is listed against each occupation title.
Moving forward, relevant skillsets expected to be in "strong" demand include knitting machine operator; yarn carding and spinning machine operator; weaving machine operator; sewing machine operator; textile dyeing and finishing machine operator; textile and footwear production machine operator; footwear production machine operator; and hide and skin processing machine operator.
There was also found to be emerging (ie, “moderate”) demand for clothing trades workers such as apparel cutters, patternmakers, dressmakers and tailors.
Industry body the Australian Fashion Council said that this year’s list sends a strong signal to stakeholders regarding the importance of a skilled domestic workforce, particularly in light of “the resurgence of manufacturing in Australia”.
Vital systems and infrastructure need to be rebuilt through increased top-down provision of higher quality, and more accessible, vocational and educational training, the organisation added.
