KATE RAYMOND

CEO, Master Electricians Australia

Skills, workforce shortages and better employer supports were the topics most discussed when the Master Electricians advocacy team recently travelled to Canberra.

The electrical industry is essential for Australia to meet its electrification, housing, and government infrastructure targets. Its role extends beyond the installation of electrical services to ongoing maintenance into the future. Without enough electricians to meet demand, Australia's economic growth and productivity will be significantly constrained. 

According to forecasts prepared by Jobs and Skills Australia, between 32,000 and 42,000 additional electricians are needed by 2030. That number increases to around 85,000 by 2050.  

We must attract and retain more skilled workers in our industry.  

During our Canberra visit, I met with the Federal Minister for Skills and Training, the Hon. Andrew Giles MP, and the Hon. Scott Buchholz MP Shadow Minister, along with other key parliamentarians. While there's no silver bullet to solve the skills crisis, MEA advocates for meaningful policy changes to better support employers and our industry.  

We want to see more funding directed to employers to incentivise training of more electrical apprentices. Currently apprentices receive double the incentives employers do – this should be reversed. The cost to an employer to hire an apprentice is becoming greater every year. It's not the wages, it's the time required to supervise and train as well as the compliance and administrative obligations for the business. Over 80% of the training of an electrical apprentice is done on the job. We need to better support employers to take on more apprentices.  

Another measure MEA proposes is a senior schooling ATAR-scaled subject that integrates practical content on electrotechnology, sustainable energy, and relevant engineering applications. Not every school student has the opportunity or the inclination to do a Cert II. A senior subject that includes some of the content would broaden career awareness, improve engagement – particularly for girls and undecided students, support progression into VET pathways, and provide employers with better-prepared apprentice candidates.   

We could also incorporate greater use of technology in training. Whether mobile training equipment to service regional and remote students, virtual classrooms or live online theory classes, there are steps that could be taken now to increase training placements.  

Together with increased, targeted skilled migration, national occupational licensing, incentives for mature-age apprentices and other under-represented groups, we could increase the electrical workforce in a meaningful way.