The Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA) says that the current framework in which state and territory governments are negotiating a new skills funding agreement will do little to address skills shortages in the electricity generation and gas industries.

The ITECA, the peak body representing independent providers in skills training, higher education and international education sectors, says that employers are finding it tough to get trained staff and that issue is likely to remain given current policy settings associated with the National Skills Funding Agreement.

“The electricity generation and gas industries will face challenges training new workforce entrants and upskilling existing workers. This is due to the failure of government to back a student’s choice to study with independent RTOs with a commitment to quality,” ITECA chief executive Troy Williams says.

Government data referenced in the 2022 Australian State Of The Sector Report shows that in the electricity supply industry (generation sector) and gas industry training packages, 100% of student enrolments are with independent RTOs.

There are no student enrolments with public providers in these critical training packages and the ITECA argues that a funding model that doesn’t back student choice does little to address skills shortages in the electricity generation and gas industries.

“A government skills funding model that doesn’t recognise that we need to provide more funding to support students studying in the electricity generation and gas industries is fundamentally flawed.  Students, employers and our economy need a better deal,” Troy explains.

“We need to put students at the heart of decisions on skills funding. If employers in the electricity generation and gas industries are crying out for skilled workers and these courses are only offered by independent RTOs with a commitment to excellence, we need a skills funding system that is more responsive and allows independent RTOs to support more students.”

As the nation moves towards renewable energy, independent RTOs will do the heavy lifting in providing higher-level and complex qualifications.

“Around 97% of student enrolments in the sustainability skills training package are with independent RTOs, highlighting the critical role of ITECA members in helping workers transition to new industries,” Troy concludes.