The manufacturing sector is vital to the Queensland economy as it underpins the resources boom and major infrastructure program supporting the growth of the mining and gas sectors and the 2012 Manufacturing Skills Conference, to be held in Brisbane on 18 May, aims to start a skills-led revolution to ensure that the sector is positioned to meet the future economic growth of Queensland.
Organised by Manufacturing Skills Queensland (MSQ), an industry skills body part of QMI Solutions that works closely with the Queensland Government to ensure the long-term competitiveness and capability of the manufacturing and engineering sectors, the Manufacturing Skills Conference will see a range of high profile speakers take to the stage to discuss and debate key themes, including:
– Professor Goran Roos: The future for Australian Manufacturing
– Marita Cheng, Young Australian of the Year 2012: Investing in women and young people in engineering and manufacturing
– Ian Curry, Deputy Chair at Manufacturing Skills Australia: National Apprenticeship Program – why apprentices are an important investment
– Erik Salonen, General Manager at Manufacturing Skills Queensland: Aim to retain – Invest in employee satisfaction
– Rod Camm, CEO at Skills Queensland: Supporting the growth of skills in Queensland
The manufacturing industry is changing and needs to ensure staff is equipped not just with engineering qualifications, but also innovation, problem solving, design and creativity skills.
QMI Solutions is working closely with industry professionals to help secure the future of the labour supply chain and increase trainee and apprentice uptake. QMI is also looking at ways of encouraging more young people to choose manufacturing or engineering as a career.
One of its initiatives is the Manufacturing Skills Awards on the night of the conference and recognises the input and achievement of those who are contributing to the long-term sustainability of the industry.
Categories include Manufacturing School of the Year, Manufacturing School-based Trainee or Apprentice of the Year, Manufacturing Indigenous Student of the Year, Manufacturing Trainee of the Year, Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year, Manufacturing VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year, Registered Training Organisation of the Year, Small to Medium Employer of the Year, Large Employer of the Year and Student of the Year.
To be part of the skills-led revolution register for the Conference go to: www.msq.org.au.
