From The Union

At the federal government’s Jobs and Skills Summit earlier this month, Tesla chair Robyn Denholm said she was optimistic that “most of our problems, as a society, can be cured by technology”. For the chair of a company that has suppressed reports on workers’ injuries at its US gigafactories, paid contractors as little as US$5 an hour, illegally sabotaged efforts by its workers to unionise and faced multiple lawsuits alleging widespread racial and gender discrimination, that’s a pretty optimistic belief. Thankfully, this assumption that technological change will magically solve all of society’s problems by itself is increasingly seen as outdated thinking. I was at the Jobs Summit too, and at the Electric Vehicles Summit two weeks earlier. Nearly everyone I spoke with at both events recognised that the upcoming transition to EVs can’t just be left to the tech giants and venture capitalists. To live up to its potential, it will need unions, government, and employers to work together, and it will need to give manufacturing workers agency and power over their futures. Too often, governments and employers present economic and technological change to workers as something that happens to them, not with them. That’s what happened at the Hazelwood coal-fired power plant in regional Victoria, and to our car industry in Adelaide. As technological and other circumstances changed, employers moved on, government was caught flat-footed, workers lost their jobs, and their communities suffered. The EV transition cannot repeat those mistakes. To be clear, the transition to EVs is a massive opportunity. It’s another way Australia can contribute to the fight against global heating. It's a chance to rebuild our sovereign capability in vehicle manufacturing. And it’s a chance to create thousands of high skilled, well paid, secure jobs. But if we just leave the transition up to private capital, none of that will happen. Industry won’t move up the value chain from exporting raw minerals to manufacturing lithium batteries, let alone get back to building cars again. Local small and medium businesses won’t get a chance to get a foothold in the new supply chains. Workers in legacy industries and the communities they live in won’t benefit. And many EV workers won’t get the skills and training they need to move between employers and other emerging industries – they'll be tied to an employer, their skills will degrade until the technology moves on again, and they’ll be left behind. Realising these opportunities requires coordination, direction, and consistency. That’s why I, on behalf of the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union, have called on the federal government to establish a National Innovation Council (NIC) to shape a domestic EV industry that puts workers front and centre. The NIC would comprise representatives from government, industry and the unions covering workers in EV industry supply chains, and would be tasked with overseeing a rapid transition of our industries, workforces and markets to EV-driven growth. It would steer industry policy to give Australia a competitive advantage in EVs by developing the supply chain capabilities of SMEs, value-add our mineral exports and speed up the rollout of national EV infrastructure. It would provide a just transition for workers in fossil fuel industries by providing well-paid, secure jobs in legacy mining and energy communities. It would facilitate the massive and rapid upskilling of workers that will be required to support the manufacturing and maintenance of EVs domestically – similar to what the Victorian Government, unions, employers and TAFE are working together on to upskill workers in the state’s bus network. And it would recommend smart regulation to keep Australia’s EV industry aligned with international benchmarks. None of this will be easy. It will require ambition from the federal government, commitment from industry, and a willingness from all parties to work together. We’ve already lost a decade of opportunity under the previous government, which decimated our local car industry, created the climate culture war, and claimed that introducing EVs would kill off our beloved utes. However, after so many years of inaction and delay, there is a real desire from key stakeholders to come together and make progress. No one wants Australia to become the dumping ground for old petrol-powered cars while the rest of the world moves to better, cleaner technology. If we pull this off, we can solve a lot of problems. But it won’t happen without workers. A National Innovation Council is the way to get this transition moving, and to get it right.

The Australian Government celebrated the work of our scientists this National Science Week, working to close the gender gap and inspire the next generation to be part of the highly skilled STEM sector.

Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic made the comments at Parliament House as he marked this year’s National Science Week, which ran from 13-21 August. “Australia is home to some of the best and brightest scientists and researchers – and it’s an incredible talent pool that we want to grow,” Minister Husic said. “The Government is determined to address the gender gap in our science and research sectors, to ensure that girls and women can see a place in that STEM talent pool and then to take a deep breath and dive in.” National Science Week is a key part of the Government’s approach to science engagement and inspiring Australians to pursue a career in STEM. “As the new science minister I want to assure you that science is back in government. Science and the scientific community will play a vital role in guiding evidence-based policy for the Albanese government,” Minister Husic said. National Science Week features more than 1,000 talks and activities around Australia, by universities, schools, research institutions, libraries, museums and science centres. In 2022, the Australian Government is supporting 35 National Science Week projects across Australia with $500,000 of funding. “National Science Week is an incredible opportunity to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our scientists who are making our world a better place,” Minister Husic said. “At the launch event for National Science Week today we heard from three outstanding First Nations scientists, and I acknowledge the unique perspective and knowledge that Indigenous STEM experts bring to Australian science. “The Government is committed to ensuring that everyone has equal opportunities to learn, work and succeed in STEM, especially here in Australia, and I’m very much looking forward to exploring how we can achieve this commitment at the Jobs and Skills Summit next month. “Our Government is also committed to providing opportunities to grow the research sector, such as through our $1bn commitment to develop and commercialise critical technologies in areas like quantum via the Critical Technology Fund. “This is in addition to the $4m we are providing for up to 20 PhDs in quantum research and to support universities to establish a national research and education partnership between universities. “Initiatives like these will help achieve our vision of a ‘brain regain’ for Australia, encouraging talented STEM researchers to stay here or return from overseas, and provide the fuel that powers the nation’s high-tech industries.” scienceweek.net.au

The Northern Territory Government partners through investment from the Advanced Manufacturing Ecosystem Fund (AMEF) to lift automation capability and advanced technology deployment across the Territory. The partnership includes a collaborative program between Diverseco and Charles Darwin University (CDU) to develop and deliver bespoke microcredential qualifications and support services to boost local businesses adoption of advanced manufacturing technology. The $4.45m project is the second to receive co-investment via the Territory’s $7.5m AMEF initiative, administered by the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC). Territory based manufacturers will soon gain access to a multimillion-dollar advanced manufacturing facility. The facility will house robotic and bespoke automation products and services to support the implementation of technology such as robotic welders, automated pick and pack systems and product inspection services. “This exciting collaboration will support the advancement of the NT’s manufacturing industry by leveraging its manufacturing capabilities in the defence, transport, logistics, agriculture, mining and waste industries,” Minister for Advanced Manufacturing, Nicole Manison said. “Growing the Territory’s advanced manufacturing industry is a key part of our strategy to grow the economy to 40 billion by 2030 and create more jobs.” The project will see Diverseco and Charles Darwin University (CDU) work closely to develop four new robotic and automation micro credential qualifications tailored to the region and boost local skills and knowledge in advanced processes and machinery for the industry. The commitment also enables Diverseco to expand its support services to local manufacturers wishing to advance their operations and improve staff capability by supporting them with access to the latest technology, training programs, design services, equipment implementation, and operations and maintenance activities. Diverseco and its project partners will provide on-site technical support and training services to local businesses seeking to adopt advanced technologies in their operations and support these businesses to upskill their staff. The facility will also be available to local business to demonstrate these technologies and develop tailored automated solutions for their individual business needs. The AMEF will provide almost $500,000 towards this initiative, giving industry the ability to test the latest in automation technology with the total project representing $4.45m investment in the NT’s manufacturing ecosystem. “This exciting partnership between CDU and Diverseco will support course expansion into new robotic and automation qualifications tailored to the region,” Charles Darwin University, Vice Chancellor, Professor Scott Bowman AO said. “This investment into advanced manufacturing skills and technology is a welcome addition to the Northern Territory and offers new and exciting opportunities for our students.” cdu.edu.au

The Australian Research Council commits $5m to establish UOW centre for training and research into the future of mining equipment.

Minster for Education, The Hon Jason Clare has announced that the Australian Research Centre will fund the establishment of the ARC Training Centre for Innovative Composites for the Future of Sustainable Mining Equipment at the University of Wollongong (UOW). UOW Vice-Chancellor Professor Patricia Davidson said the Illawarra is the perfect setting for a centre focussed on sustainable mining. “Wollongong has deeply held roots in mining and manufacturing, and this training centre will be the perfect launch pad for global collaboration and innovation,” Professor Davidson said. “Our state of the art engineering and technology hubs will offer the perfect environment to train the future minds of mining and to find solutions to revolutionise an industry that contributes 15 percent of Australian GDP.” In Australia the Mining Equipment, Technology and Service (METS) sector is estimated to add more than $50bn and 80,000 new jobs to the Australian economy by 2030. The transformation of the sector towards more efficient, cost-effective, innovative, sustainable and digital operations will require safer machinery and equipment, which is able to operate in deeper mines and harsh environments. Over the next five years, the ARC Training Centre for Innovative Composites for the Future of Sustainable Mining Equipment will train and produce engineering graduates to be highly qualified professionals who are empowered to take on future challenges in the METS sector. Director of the new Centre, Distinguished Professor Zhengyi Jiang of UOW’s School of Mechanical, Materials, Mechatronic and Biomedical Engineering, said the Centre will bring together a team of world-class researchers and industry leaders to train a workforce to meet the future skills demand. “This Centre, by working with industry, will improve and streamline the research and development process, building a solid national network to address the needs of the mining equipment manufacturing, enhancing sustainability, and making a safer mining environment,” Professor Jiang said. “The Centre will support Australian industry to maintain its position as a world leading innovator in the METS sector.” The Centre’s program of industry integrated research focussing on innovative steel composites, coupled with work integrated learning, will empower graduates to develop unique solutions, incorporating into valueadded technologies and products into the Australian METS sector. The Centre aims to train industry-focused researchers in advanced manufacturing of new-generation mining equipment and sustainable mining technology, through close collaborations among key universities and mining and manufacturing companies. ARC Training Centre for Innovative Composites for the Future of Sustainable Mining Equipment will be established with industry partners Roobuck, Bisalloy Steels, SNS Unicorp, HBIS Group, Baosteel Company, Komatsu Australia, Top Iron, Australia L&Y Mine Equipment Manufacturing, and University Partners University of Queensland, Deakin University, University of Adelaide, Western Sydney University, University of New South Wales, and Curtin University. uow.edu.au

Australia’s peak industry representative body for innovative technology, the Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA), welcomes the $142m Advance Queensland – Innovation for a Future Economy 2022-2032 roadmap announced by the Palaszczuk Government. The funding will support Advance Queensland programs, Queensland Innovation Precincts, Innovation Action Plan and funding supporting industry-science centres of excellence and partnerships, accelerating university commercialisation through the Department of Environment and Science. With the University of Queensland finding that 80,000 new jobs can be created in the next decade, along with a $11bn-a-year boost to the economy, the funding to boost innovation hubs offers significant potential for Queensland. “The AIIA is pleased that the Queensland Government realises the potential of a digital led strategy in strengthening its economy through this investment,” AIIA CEO, Ron Gauci said. “The funding announcement by the Queensland Government is encouraging for Queensland’s innovative technologies sector. This is a sector that will generate significant growth for the economy for years to come. South East Queensland is seeing notable expansion in the innovation and ICT sectors, showing the high demand for these services and the skills to deliver them.” “Seeing the investment flow into the sector is most important. From supporting commercialisation to growing the skills of Queenslanders, it is vital the funding makes its way to support developing technologies. Support of commercialisation will ensure brilliant Australian innovations remain Australian, creating jobs and ensuring Australia retains the economic benefits for years to come. “There is incredible demand for skilled workers across the ICT sector Australia-wide; our industry could easily be employing over 1.2m skilled workers today given the vacancies. We need to continue to work with governments to develop job-ready and relevant skills, from tailored microcredential courses to tertiary qualifications. This is a promising announcement for Queensland that we look forward to seeing the innovative technologies sector continue to grow and support other economic sectors,” Gauci said. AIIA is a not-for-profit organisation aimed at supporting and advocating for Australia’s future social and economic prosperity through technology innovation. qld.gov.au