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ELECTROTECHNOLOGY IRC

SKILLS FORECAST 2017

© Australian Industry Standards Ltd. Electrotechnology IRC Skills Forecast 2017 2

ELECTROTECHNOLOGY IRC SKILLS FORECAST

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HOW TO USE THIS DOCUMENTThe IRC Skills Forecasts focus on the prioritisation of the skill needs of the industry sectors each IRC has responsibility for. They are developed and reviewed annually and submitted on behalf of the IRC to the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) for approval.

The document is deliberately brief, it does not seek to capture every issue within every sector. It is a snapshot of a continually evolving story that is intended to alert and inform a wide audience and enhance their capacity to act.

IRCs are required to consult broadly with stakeholders to ensure a whole-of-industry view about the opportunities and challenges for the workforce and the Training Package review work necessary to meet industry needs. The information is then used to develop the four-year IRC Proposed Schedule of Work.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

EMPLOYMENT SKILLS OUTLOOK

SKILLS RELATED INSIGHTS

PROPOSED SCHEDULE OF WORK 2017/18 - 2020/21

IRC SIGNOFF

ELECTROTECHNOLOGY OVERVIEW

P.20

P.31

P.43 P.4

P.35

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This Four-Year IRC Skills Forecast has been submitted by the Electrotechnology Industry Reference Committee (IRC) to Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) for approval.

The IRC Skills Forecast identifies the priority skill needs of the Electrotechnology industry following a research and stakeholder consultation process conducted by Australian Industry Standards on behalf of the IRC.

Once approved by the AISC the IRC Skills Forecast informs the development of a four year rolling National Schedule for development and review work of the UEE11 Electrotechnology Training Package.

More information on the National Schedule can be found at: www.aisc.net.au/content/national-schedule

This IRC Skills Forecast was agreed to by the Electrotechnology IRC Chair on Monday, 24 April 2017:

Larry Moore Electrotechnology IRC Chair

ELECTROTECHNOLOGY IRC SKILLS FORECAST

http://www.aisc.net.au/content/national-schedule

The Electrotechnology Industry Reference Committee has been assigned responsibility for the UEE11 Electrotechnology Training Package.

The UEE11 Electrotechnology Training Package provides the only nationally recognised Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualifications for occupations involved in: electronics, electrical, communications, control systems, instrumentation, lifts, refrigeration and air conditioning, renewable/sustainable energy, fire and security, appliances, gaming and rail.

More information about the Electrotechnology IRC and its work can be found here: http://www.australianindustrystandards.org.au/committee/electrotechnology-industry-reference-committee/

Name OrganisationCarl Copeland College of Electrical TrainingGraeme Murphy Institute of Instrumentation

Control & AutomationKevin O’Shea Refrigeration Air-conditioning

Contractors AssociationLarry Moore National Electrical &

Communications AssociationMalcolm Richards Master Electricians AustraliaMark Burgess Electrical Trades UnionMaurice Graham Communications, Electrical and

Plumbing Union of Australia (CEPU)Neil Fraser Energy Safe Victoria (ERAC)Noel Munkman Australian Refrigeration CouncilPaul Lowe NSW TAFEPeter Beveridge Utilities, Engineering, Electrical and

Automotive Training CouncilSandy Atkins Clean Energy CouncilSarah Loveday Loveday ElectricalTrevor Moore Australian Rail Track Corporation

ELECTROTECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY REFERENCE COMMITTEE


http://www.australianindustrystandards.org.au/committee/electrotechnology-industry-reference-committee/



ELECTROTECHNOLOGY OVERVIEW


The Electrotechnology industry includes the design, maintenance, installation and repair for all electrical and electronic equipment. The technology stretches across a number of sectors including mining, manufacturing, ICT and communications, construction, renewables, domestic and commercial refrigeration and air-conditioning. The electrical services industry (a subsector within Electrotechnology) involves electrical wiring or fittings in buildings and other construction projects, and repair and maintenance of existing electrical equipment and fixtures. The Electrotechnology industry is an $87.3 billion revenue industry employing over 340,000 people.

ELECTROTECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY OVERVIEW

KEY FACTS:• 19 per cent of suitable private dwellings equipped with a

roof-top solar photovoltaic (PV) system as of 20152 • 172 per cent increase in solar electricity production

between 2009-10 and 2013-142 • 105 per cent increase in wind electricity production

between 2009-10 and 2013-142

• 192,000 refrigerated display cabinets and 900,000 refrigerated storage cabinets – using 7,700 GWh of electricity per annum3

• 4,092,086 premises in Australia equipped with NBN capabilities4

• 196,900 poker machines in Australia5

BOld column one col

Ocupations Columone col\

Foot note for industry metrics table form key findings paper

ELECTROTECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY METRICS


Revenue ($b) 87.3Profit ($b) 12.04Average Wage ($) 72,648.58No. of Businesses 53,856Employment Growth (% to 2022) 4.6

Scope: Fire and Security Alarm Installation Services, Electrical Services, Elevator Installation and Maintenance, Computer and Electronic Equipment Repair, Wired Telecommunications Network Operation, Domestic Appliance Repair and Maintenance, Air Conditioning and Heating Services, Telecommunications Services1


ELECTROTECHNOLOGY TRAINING PACKAGE ARCHITECTURE


The UEE11 Electrotechnology Training Package provides the only nationally recognised Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualifications for occupations involved in: electronics, electrical, communications, control systems, instrumentation, lifts, refrigeration and air conditioning, renewable/sustainable energy, fire and security, appliances, gaming and rail.

The UEE11 Electrotechnology Training Package comprises 87 qualifications, 75 Skill Sets, 612 units of competency and associated assessment requirements and covers: Electrotechnology, electrical, electronics, hazardous areas, instrumentation, rail signalling, refrigeration and air-conditioning, renewable and sustainable energy.

The UEE11 Electrotechnology Training Package contains the following qualifications:

UEE ELECTROTECHNOLOGY TRAINING PACKAGE

• Certificate I in ElectroComms Skills • Certificate II in Split Air-conditioning and Heat Pump

Systems • Certificate II in Electronic Assembly • Certificate II in Sustainable Energy (Career Start) • Certificate II in Fire Alarms Servicing • Certificate II in Computer Assembly and Repair • Certificate II in Electronics • Certificate II in Remote Area Essential Service

• Certificate II in Electrical Wholesaling • Certificate II in Remote Area Power Supply

Maintenance • Certificate II in Winding and Assembly • Certificate II in Antennae Equipment • Certificate II in Security Assembly and Set-up • Certificate II in Technical Support • Certificate II in Electrotechnology (Career Start) • Certificate II in Data and Voice Communications

11© Australian Industry Standards Ltd. Electrotechnology IRC Skills Forecast 2017

• Certificate III in Air-conditioning and Refrigeration • Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician • Certificate III in Switchgear and Controlgear • Certificate III in Electronics and Communications • Certificate III in Gaming Electronics • Certificate III in Business Equipment • Certificate III in Custom Electronics Installations • Certificate III in Renewable Energy - ELV • Certificate III in Electrical Fitting • Certificate III in Rail - Communications and Networks • Certificate III in Data and Voice Communications • Certificate III in Electrical Machine Repair • Certificate III in Appliance Service • Certificate III in Fire Protection Control • Certificate III in Instrumentation and Control • Certificate III in Security Equipment • Certificate III in Computer Systems Equipment • Certificate IV in Refrigeration and Air-conditioning

Systems• Certificate IV in Air-conditioning and Refrigeration

Servicing

• Certificate IV in Air-conditioning Systems Energy Management and Control

• Certificate IV in Electrical - Fire Protection Control Systems

• Certificate IV in Electrical - Instrumentation • Certificate IV in Electrical Equipment and Systems • Certificate IV in Electrotechnology - Systems

Electrician • Certificate IV in Computer Systems • Certificate IV in Energy Management and Control • Certificate IV in Electrotechnology - Electrical

Contracting • Certificate IV in Energy Efficiency and Assessment • Certificate IV in Installation Inspection and Audits • Certificate IV in Hazardous areas - Electrical • Certificate IV in Electrical - Data and Voice

Communications • Certificate IV in Electrical - Lift Systems • Certificate IV in Renewable Energy • Certificate IV in Industrial Electronics and Control • Certificate IV in Electronics and Communications


• Certificate IV in Video and Audio Systems • Certificate IV in Electrical - Photovoltaic Systems • Certificate IV in Electrical - Air-conditioning Split

Systems • Certificate IV in Industrial Automation and Control • Certificate IV in Rail - Communications and Network

Systems • Certificate IV in Instrumentation and Control • Certificate IV in Electrical - Rail Signalling • Certificate IV in Electrical - Renewable Energy • Diploma of Air-conditioning and Refrigeration

Engineering • Diploma of Engineering Technology - Refrigeration

and Air-conditioning • Diploma of Electrical and Instrumentation • Diploma of Electrical Systems Engineering • Diploma of Electrical Engineering • Diploma of Industrial Electronics and Control

Engineering • Diploma of Renewable Energy Engineering • Diploma of Research and Development

• Diploma of Instrumentation and Control Engineering • Diploma of Computer Systems Engineering • Diploma of Electrical and Refrigeration and Air-

conditioning • Diploma of Electronics and Communications

Engineering • Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology - Air-

conditioning and Refrigeration • Advanced Diploma of Electrical - Engineering • Advanced Diploma of Air-conditioning and

Refrigeration Engineering • Advanced Diploma of Electrical Engineering - Coal

Mining • Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology -

Renewable Energy • Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology -

Electrical • Advanced Diploma of Automated Systems

Maintenance Engineering • Advanced Diploma of Electrical Systems Engineering • Advanced Diploma of Engineering - Explosion

Protection


• Advanced Diploma of Instrumentation and Control Engineering

• Advanced Diploma of Renewable Energy Engineering • Advanced Diploma of Computer Systems

Engineering • Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology -

Computer Systems

• Advanced Diploma of Industrial Electronics and Control Engineering

• Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology – Electronics

• Advanced Diploma of Electronics and Communications Engineering

The UEE11 Electrotechnology Training Package is in the Scope of Registration of 156 Registered Training Organisations.


The number of enterprises is generally highest in States/Territories with higher population densities

ELECTROTECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY BUSINESS ANALYSIS

445

BUSINESS NO. (SUM)ELECTROTECHNOLOGY

22, 932

The following image provides analysis of the businesses involved in the Electrotechnology sector (size, local/state/national/global, government/not-for-profit/for-profit, scope of work undertaken by those businesses).

ELECTROTECHNOLOGY BUSINESS COMPOSITIONSmall 94.6%Medium 5.2%Large 0.2%

Source: ABS 8165.0 Counts of Australian Businesses, Jun 2012 to Jun 2016

ENTERPRISE DENSITY


KEY ELECTROTECHNOLOGY STAKEHOLDERSSTAKEHOLDER CATEGORY ORGANISATIONEmployers ActewAGL Loveday Electrical

Ausgrid Powerlink QldAusNet Services TasNetworksElectraNet Transend NetworksEnergy Australia TransGridEssential Energy Western Power

Employer Representatives Air-conditioning and Mechanical Contractors Association Institute of Instrumentation Control & AutomationAustralian Energy Storage Council Master Electricians AustraliaAustralian Institute of Refrigeration, Air-conditioning and Heating

National Electrical & Communications Association

Australian Refrigeration Council National Electrical Switchboard Manufacturers AssociationAustralian Rail Track Corporation Refrigeration Air-Conditioning Contractors AssociationClean Energy Council

Employee Representatives Communications Electrical Plumbing Union Electrical Trades UnionLicensing / Regulatory Electrical Regulatory Authorities Council Safe Work Australia

Energy Safe Victoria Worksafe TasmaniaEnergy Safety - WA

Government Federal, State/Territory DepartmentsIndustry Advisory Electrotechnology Energy Advisory Board - ACT Energy Skills QLD

Electrotechnology, Power and Communications Industries Industry Training Board - VIC

Electrotechnology Energy Advisory Board - NSW

Energy Skills - SA Utilities and Electrotechnology Industry Training Advisory Board - NSW

Training Organisations TAFEs, Private RTOs, Enterprise RTOs TAFE NSW


INDUSTRY CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

TECHNOLOGY AND AUTOMATION Technological advances will see the sector change with the merging of traditional industry sectors as well as the emergence of new industry subsectors.

Power over Ethernet is becoming widely used to support scalability of networks through the transmission of power through network cables. These networks include video, point-of-sale devices, security access control, building automation and lighting and industrial automation.

Self-generation and battery storage are also having an effect on the market6 with customers generating, storing and trading their own electricity.7 Storage solutions for renewable electricity continue to diversify8, improve9 and reduce in cost10 – further bolstering growth in solar panel uptake across Australia.11

New products and services in process and home automation are regularly coming to market in Australia. Packaged home automation systems are now being offered that include smart plugs, door, window and motion sensors. These systems allow consumers to conserve energy and automate the use of certain home appliances.12 From tailored Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) programming to Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, industrial process automation services and devices are also becoming commonplace. New specialist skills will likely be sought for these new technologies, as well as electric cars, commercial fitouts, communications and remediation services.13


TRAINING AND APPRENTICESHIPSThe training currently available for the design of renewable energy systems is inadequate for commercial/utility scale installations (100kW+ systems). Some of the areas that are not adequately covered include:

• Assessing the impact to the network connection point of the system• Network protection requirements• Building structural requirements• Interpreting commercial electricity bills and• Power factor impactsThe capacity for RTOs to deliver training on central plant and other sophisticated technologies, is further impacted by challenges in identifying trainers who are qualified to deliver training on the new and emerging technologies. Industry has reported that UEE30811 Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician is struggling to maintain currency with the rapid changes in technology and training has fallen behind industry advancement. This can have a significant impact on workforce development with apprentices completing a qualification that does not give them the skills to perform the work now demanded of the job.

The traditional time-based apprenticeship system does not always meet the needs of employers, apprentices or the industry. Alternative methods of implementation including competency-based progression and front loaded training are also being investigated by industry.


SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENTSA number of energy efficiency initiatives14 are being introduced by the Federal and State Governments to encourage the uptake of technologies such as solar PV, battery storage and electric vehicles. These initiatives will create an unprecedented demand for electrotechnology workers with skills in energy efficiency technologies. The announcement of the Clean Energy Innovation Fund15 aims to drive this change and many new jobs are expected to emerge.

One such funded initiative has seen the development of a solar-powered system using concentrating solar thermal technology to cool Australian commercial buildings, achieving greater energy efficiency than current air-conditioning systems.16

The Government also plans to phase down the importation of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) used as an alternative to CFCs in refrigeration and other processes, commencing January 2018 and aims to reduce HFC emissions by 85 per cent by 203617. As a result, other synthetic and natural refrigerants will be used in new refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment which are either more flammable, more toxic or operate at higher pressures, creating entirely new skills demands.

The design and installation of such products will shape much of the electrotechnology sectors over the coming years. The integration of renewable energy into established distribution networks will also be a priority.


CONSTRUCTION MARKET FLUCTUATIONS

Market fluctuations mirror the demands for much of the industry, with growth expected in the commercial, industrial and institutional building sectors. Apartments, townhouses and unit construction continue to decrease,18 and heavy industry construction is also set to decline.19

Large-scale firms will likely take the biggest share of the contract electrical maintenance market, with smaller contractors moving towards household and small building installations. With increasing demand for data and communications services, fire protection and security systems, it is likely that demand for skilled electrotechnology workers will increase to meet these needs.

CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR

Consumer behaviour is changing the sector as customers now demand more control over systems such as metering, billing, payments, as well as pricing. Homes and businesses are now using new integrated technologies to control all aspects of the physical world. The Internet of Things (IoT), for example, is seeing consumers use their smart phones to control and integrate their IT systems, security and intercoms, climate control and electrical services from one central system.

Australia also has one of the highest global rates of rooftop solar PV systems20 and integration of PV systems with home battery storage has already begun21. Energy businesses will need to provide new services to domestic and commercial customers.

Consumer behaviour driven by new technology changes further increases competition within the market as companies compete for more efficient and user-friendly devices and management systems.

EMPLOYMENT


1,0481,061

1,2221,345

1,4131,471

1,6061,641

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800

ACT

SA

TAS

NSW

QLD

WA

VIC

NT

ELECTROTECHNOLOGY WORKFORCE BY STATE PER 100K POPULATION

The number of Electrotechnology workers is closely related to the population distribution with the top per capita State/Territory, the Northern Territory being only 16% higher than the per capita average

ELECTROTECHNOLOGY WORKFORCESOURCE: ABS 6291.0.55.003 - LABOUR FORCE, AUSTRALIA, DETAILED


ELECTROTECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY WORKFORCE 1984 – 2016

As a group, Electrical and Air Conditioning Services and Fire/Security Alarm Installation has experienced the strongest growth of the selected industries at 175% over three decades. Telecommunications has grown by 30% in the same period with Equipment Repair and Maintenance measuring 52%.

0

50

100

150

200

1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016

THO

USA

ND

S

ELECTROTECHNOLOGY INDUSTRYWORKFORCE 1984 - 2016

TelecommunicationsEquipment Repair and MaintenanceElectrical and Air Conditioning Services, Fire/Security Alarm Installation

Source: ABS 6291.0.55.003 - Labour Force, Australia, Detailed

Electrical and Air Conditioning Services, Fire/Security Alarm Installation

Telecommunications

Equipment Repair and Maintenance


EMPLOYMENT HISTORY OCCUPATION BASED

THOU

SAND

S


ELECTROTECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY WORKFORCE CASUALISATION 1984 – 2016

Full-time employment has remained almost static, decreasing from around 90% to 86.7%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016

ELECTROTECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY WORKFORCECASUALISATION 1984 - 2016

Employed part-time ('000) Employed full-time ('000)Source: ABS 6291.0.55.003 - Labour Force, Australia, Detailed

Employed part-time ('000)Employed full-time ('000)



ELECTROTECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY WORKFORCE GENDER COMPOSITION 1984 – 2016

While the number of females in the industry has grown by more than a third, the proportion of females has actually fallen from 21% to 17%.

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016

ELECTROTECHNOLOGY WORKFORCEGENDER COMPOSITION 1984 - 2016

Males Females Source: ABS 6291.0.55.003 - Labour Force, Australia, Detailed

MalesFemales



PROJECTED AND HISTORICAL ELECTROTECHNOLOGY WORKFORCE 2005 – 2022

The industry is projected to stabilise in the coming 5 years with growth of more than 10% expected in Electrical Services. Other comprises the following; Air Conditioning and Heating Services, Fire and Security Alarm Installation Services, Computer and Electronic Equipment Repair, Elevator Installation and Maintenance, Domestic Appliance Repair and Maintenance

EMPLOYMENT PROJECTION EMPLOYER BASED

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 2019 2021

THO

USA

ND

S

PROJECTED AND HISTORICALELECTROTECHNOLOGY WORKFORCE 2005 - 2022

Electrical Services Telecommunications Other

Sour

ce: I

BISW

orld

TOD

AY

Electrical Services

Source: IBISWorld

THOU

SAND

S

Telecommunications Other


EXPLANATORY NOTESWorkforce The size of an industry’s workforce is established by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) using two different approaches. The Labour Force survey, which provides a 30-year view of the industry, assigns each industry category based on the main job of the respondent. The Australian Industry dataset (which the Workforce Projections charts are based on), uses a top down approach where industries are primarily classified by the single predominant industry class associated with a business’ ABN. An industry’s workforce therefore is bounded in the first instance by the occupations of workers and in the second by the primary business of an enterprise. The different approaches can therefore result in quite different workforce figures.

AIS has chosen to distinguish these approaches using the terms Workforce – Occupation based and Workforce – Employer based.

Enterprise size Industry definition by ABN also applies to the Counts of Australian Businesses data (size and distribution). Furthermore, low-level values in these tables are subject to perturbation to anonymise the data. This may result in some areas with a low-level value being perturbed to zero.

ExemptionsThe scope of the Labour Force Survey is limited to the civilian population of Australia and therefore members of permanent defence forces are excluded from the survey.


ELECTROTECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY SKILL SHORTAGES

ELECTROTECHNOLOGY SKILL SHORTAGES69.86 per cent of employers reported experiencing a skills shortage in the last 12 months22

. The occupations reported as being in shortage were:

1. Electricians

2. Trainers/assessors

3. Refrigeration/Air-Conditioning Technicians

4. Renewables Specialists

5. Signalling Technicians

Employers identified the following reasons for the shortage with the most frequent response listed first.

Reasons for shortage

Shortage of skilled/qualified personnel

Cost/Time to achieve the required qualification

Ageing workforce/current staff retiring

Remuneration/employment conditions

Geographic location of the vacancy


AGEING WORKFORCEThe percentage of Electrotechnology workers over the age of 45 has risen to approximately 30 per cent over the past 30 years23. The ageing workforce presents a considerable challenge to the industry with the loss of key skills and the skills gaps created by retiring workers. The ageing workforce also increases the risk of knowledge gaps when industry experience and corporate knowledge is not passed on. Mentoring and other knowledge-sharing initiatives could assist in maintaining corporate and industry knowledge.

With the steady increase in construction projects and major shifts in the use of technology, ensuring that workers have the right skills is also important. Upskilling existing workers will be necessary for workers to interact and work with new products. Companies will be faced with greater demand to upskill or recruit appropriately qualified people to undertake these emerging roles.

WORKFORCE SUPPLY SIDE CHALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES

ATTRACTION AND RETENTIONAttracting new people to the sectors is challenging, with increasing costs for apprenticeships and licences, competitive salaries from other sectors and difficulty attracting women to the industry. There are considerable efforts within the industry to increase apprenticeship enrolment figures and completion rates via a new training support model24.

Licensing requirements for this sector are tightly regulated, requiring those working in the industry to have correct accreditation – further narrowing the workforce pool. Employers have also reported difficulty attracting applicants with suitable experience using specific technologies, machinery or equipment25.

Strong competition exists for highly-skilled individuals, therefore companies will need well-designed human resource initiatives and effective recruitment and retention programs. This may include rewards through recognition and incentives, as well as ongoing professional development and mentoring.



LANGUAGE, LITERACY AND NUMERACYIndustry has concerns about the language, literacy and numeracy capability of new apprentices who present with school certification, but who are significantly below the recommended literacy and numeracy standards required to satisfactorily complete the trade course. This has a direct result on apprenticeship drop-out and failure rates which appear to be increasing.

HIGHER-LEVEL SKILLS

Reduced uptake of ‘post-trade’ training has the potential to create a widening ‘skills gap’ between the highly technical systems being manufactured today and the ability of trade technicians to keep those systems operating. This is supported in the data, where enrolments in Certificate IV and above qualifications in the Electrotechnology training package have fallen by more than 42 per cent since peaking in 201126.

SKILLS OUTLOOK


SKILLS OUTLOOK

INTERNATIONAL / NATIONAL WORKPLACE TRENDSConsumers are increasingly making use of home automation systems to conserve energy and control household devices. Industrial process automation services and devices are also becoming commonplace. Developing aptitudes for Power over Ethernet, Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) programming and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems will directly benefit the workforce.

Smart plugs and sensors for doors, windows and motion will continue to gain traction in the marketplace, as will the use of smart phones to control and integrate IT systems, security and intercoms, climate control and electrical services. Skills that are based around the servicing of these cutting-edge technologies will be required. Moreover, the new refrigerants to be used in air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment require additional skills to mitigate the risks associated with their flammability, toxicity and higher pressures.

Uptake of solar PV, solar thermal and electric vehicle technology has also increased. This is the case for battery storage as well, with integration of PV systems with home battery storage already underway. As these technologies continue to proliferate, the demand for skills in energy efficiency will develop in tandem.


FUNDING

Variations in jurisdictional funding and traineeship arrangements are reported as impacting the viability of delivering training, in particular for narrow markets and in specialist technical areas. Longer-term, this situation may lead to capacity constraints for employers and training organisations alike. These conditions also present challenges for RTOs and when considering future investment in training infrastructure and equipment, particularly those involved in new technology. Industry feedback also indicates that while financial incentives can encourage employers to take on apprentices, navigating the system in order to receive these incentives can act as a deterrent.


PRIORITY SKILLSThe priority skills results are drawn from Electrotechnology stakeholder responses to the IRC Skills Forecast survey conducted in February 2017.

In order of priority to the industry, the following skills were identified as the most important for the Electrotechnology workforce within the next three to five years.

Skill CategoryInformation and Communication technologyRenewable energy storageFault finding/DiagnosticsTechnicalOrganisational/Planning

Ranking of the 12 generic workforce skills in order of importance to the Electrotechnology industry.

Generic SkillTechnologyDesign mindset/Thinking critically/System thinking/Solving problemsScience, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM)Learning agility/Information literacy/Intellectual autonomy and self-managementLanguage, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN)Managerial/LeadershipCustomer service/MarketingEnvironmental and SustainabilityCommunication/Virtual collaboration/Social intelligenceData analysisFinancialEntrepreneurial


The Electrotechnology industry faces many challenges as it moves to integrate traditional forms of electricity products with emerging technologies. Sustainability, market fluctuations and changes in consumer behaviour also have a significant effect on the industry and will become increasingly important as time goes on.

The industry includes the design, maintenance, installation, and repair for all electrical and electronic equipment, and employs nearly 340,000 people. The Electrotechnology industry has an estimated annual revenue of $87.3 billion, adding $37 billion to the Australian economy in 2016.

Licensing for the Electrotechnology industry is highly regulated and the workforce is required to have proper accreditation. Although this narrows the workforce pool considerably, the workforce is still projected to increase by 4.3 percent through to 2022. Attracting new people to the workforce can be difficult, on account of the rising cost of apprenticeships and licences, as well as competition from other industries for suitably qualified and skilled workers.

The Electrotechnology workforce is also ageing, with 30 percent of the workforce aged over 45. An ageing workforce combined with higher rates of retirement increases the risk of knowledge gaps. Mentoring and other on-boarding initiatives will ensure business and industry knowledge is maintained, while also serving to attract a new workforce. The industry has struggled historically with gender diversity, with the number of women in the workforce falling from 21 percent to 16 percent in the last 30 years.

Nearly 70 percent of the employers surveyed in the 2017 Skills Forecast Survey for the Electrotechnology Industry have experienced a skills shortage within the last 12 months. The survey results reveal that the key reason for the skills shortage is a lack of qualified workers, followed by the cost or time taken to achieve qualifications. Industry have also identified a need for more electricians in the workforce.

ELECTROTECHNOLOGY SKILLS-RELATED INSIGHTS


The industry is supported by the UEE11 Electrotechnology Training Package and over 60 percent of training is State or Commonwealth funded. The Training Package consists of a range of qualifications around electrotechnology, electrical, electronics, hazardous areas, rail signalling, refrigeration and renewable energies, among others. Due to the large number of technologies coming on line, and the large number of companies operating in the Electrotechnology space, the identification of necessary qualifications and standards and subsequent development of Training Packages is a focus for the industry.

The capacity for RTOs to deliver training on central plant and other sophisticated technologies is further impacted by challenges in identifying trainers who are qualified to deliver training on the new and emerging technologies. Industry has reported that UEE30811 Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician is struggling to maintain currency with the rapid changes in technology. It is imperative that training delivered to the workforce is in line with industry advancement. Industry also has concerns about the language, literacy and numeracy capability of new apprentices.

Enrolments in Certificate IV and above qualifications in the Training Package have fallen by more than 42 per cent since 2011. Reduced uptake of ‘post-trade’ training has the potential to create a widening ‘skills gap’ between the highly technical systems being manufactured today and the ability of trade technicians to keep those systems operating. Total VET activity enrolments for Electrotechnology have decreased from a peak in 2013.

Industry stakeholders continue to highlight the need for greater leadership and collaboration, particularly between the industry and government, in identifying proper standards, setting proactive policy settings, ensuring relevant skills training and utilising new technologies. Technological advances will see the sector change with the merging of traditional industry sectors, as well as the emergence of new industry subsectors. This will require high-level technical skills from the workforce.

Packaged home automation systems are now being offered, and industrial process automation services and devices are also becoming commonplace. As these new technologies and automation tools become more


prevalent, new specialist skills will be required. In order to accommodate the rapid pace of technological change, the Electrotechnology industry have indicated that information and communication technology, and renewable energy storage skills are their highest priority over the next three to five years.

Market fluctuations mirror the demands for much of the industry, with growth expected in the commercial, industrial and institutional building sectors. With increasing demand for data and communications services, fire protection and security systems, it is likely that demand for skilled electrotechnology workers will increase to meet these needs. Stakeholders have also noted the ongoing impact of integrating new technologies into supply chains across the economy, in particular those involving autonomous operations, robotics and sensor dependent communications.

There will be an increased focus on environmental issues and renewable energy technologies as consumer behaviour continues to change. Federal and State Governments are actively encouraging fewer HFC emissions and the uptake of technologies such as solar photovoltaic (PV), battery storage and electric vehicles. The flow on effect of changing technology and regulatory requirements in the electrotechnology industry often requires significant operational changes for employers and their workforce. The design and installation of new products and systems will shape much of the activity in the industry for the foreseeable future. By investing in critical thinking and problem solving skills, the Electrotechnology workforce will be prepared for developments in this space.


UEE11 PROGRAM ENROLMENTS BY DATASET

Enrolments have dropped somewhat from a peak at 2013, with Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician comprising more than 50% of the total.0

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

60000

70000

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

ENRO

LMEN

TSUEE PROGRAMENROLMENTS BY DATASET

National VET Provider Collection Total VET Activity

Sour

ce: V

OCS

TATS

Total VET Activity

National VET Provider Collection

ENRO

LMEN

TSSource: VOCSTATS


UEE11 ENROLMENTS PER 100K POPULATION

050

100150200250300350400450

NSW VIC TAS ACT WA SA QLD NT

Enro

lmen

tsUEE Enrolments per 100k population

Source: TVA program enrolments

Source: TVA program enrolments 2015

ENRO

LMEN

TS

Enrolments in the Northern Territory stood out in 2015 at nearly 70% greater than the per capita average


UEE11 UNITS BY FUNDING SOURCE

International fee for service amounted to about a third of the size of Domestic fee for service training in 2015. Government funding comprised 62% of funding for training.

Domestic Fee for Service

International Fee for Service

Commonwealth and State Funding29%

9%

62%

UEE UNITS BY FUNDING SOURCE

Domestic fee for service

International fee for service

Commonwealth and state funding

Source: TVA - Subject Enrolments 2015

Source: TVA - Subject Enrolments 2015


EXPLANATORY NOTESTraining Enrolments Charts The Training Enrolments charts compare two datasets; the National VET Provider Collection and the Total VET Activity (TVA) dataset. The primary distinction between the two is that Total VET Activity data is collected from all types of providers and not only those in receipt of Commonwealth or State funding. TVA data collection commenced in 2014.

Exemptions Where the submission of training data to TVA conflicts with defence or national security legislation, or jeopardise the security or safety of personnel working in defence, border protection, customs or Australian police departments, an exemption from reporting training data is available.

Organisations that deliver training for vital services to the community (such as emergency, fire, first aid and rescue organisations) may have received an exemption to submit data to TVA. From 1 January 2016 however, the exemption from reporting applies only in respect of training activity not delivered on a fee-for-service/commercial basis.


REFERENCES

1 IBISWorld Industry Reports. http://www.ibisworld.com2 Australian Bureau of Statistics. 2014-15. 4631.0 Employment in Renewable Energy Activities, Australia, 2014-15.3 Commonwealth of Australia, Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism. 2013. E3 Equipment Energy Efficiency, Commercial Refrigeration – Refrigerated Display and Storage Cabinets.4 nbn. 19 January 2017.5 http://www.qgso.qld.gov.au/products/reports/aus-gambling-stats/aus-gambling-stats-31st-edn.pdf6 PriceWaterhouse Coopers. Customer engagement in an era of energy transformation. 2016.7 RenewEconomy. Sophie Vorrath. Greensync launches world-first exchange to trade stored household solar power. 23 February 2017.8 Sydney Morning Herald. Simon Johanson. Melbourne’s first Tesla-town to be built in mega Alphington development. 3 August 2016.9 Australian Renewable Energy Agency. Cutting-edge battery tech coming of age with ARENA’s help. 14 February 2017.10 The Australian. Graham Lloyd. Efficient solar energy storage a game changer in going off grid. 4 February 2017.11 Energy Matters. Solar Cheap as Chips and Battery Boom in Australia. 24 February 2017.12 Telstra. John Chambers. Introducing Telstra Smart Home. 13 Electrical Comms Data. Electrical services industry powers on. 7 July 2015.14 Australian Renewable Energy Agency. Projects. 15 Department of the Environment. Fact sheet: Clean Energy Innovation Fund. 2016.16 CSIRO. Solar air-conditioning for heating and cooling. 9 December 2016. 17 Department of the Environment and Energy. Review of the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Programme. 18 Australian Financial Review. Michael Bleby. Construction contracts at fastest rate in nearly 2 years. 7 November 2016.19 IBISworld. Industry Reports: E3232, E3233, J5801, J5800, E3234, OD5424, E3232, E3233, J5801, J5800, E3234, OD5424. 20 Energy Supply Association of Australia. Renewable Energy in Australia. September 2015.21 CSIRO. Future Energy Storage Trends: An Assessment of the Economic Viability, Potential Uptake and Impacts of Electrical Energy Storage on the NEM 2015-2035. October 2015.22 Australian Industry Standards. February 2017 IRC Skills Forecast Survey.23 Australian Bureau of Statistics. Electrotechnology and Telecommunications Trades Workers. 24 Master Electricians Australia. Electricians launch new apprenticeship system to help curb plummeting completion rates. 4 August 2016.25 Department of Employment. Labour market research – Electrotechnology trades. December 2015.26 National Centre for Vocational Education Research. VOCSTATS VET Program Enrolments 2003-2015.

PROPOSED SCHEDULE OF WORK2017/18 - 2020/21 ELECTROTECHNOLOGY IRC

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ELECTROTECHNOLOGY IRC PROPOSED SCHEDULE OF WORK

REVIEW PLAN – TIMING AND PRIORITISATIONThe IRC Skills Forecast priorities will be constantly monitored and formally reviewed annually by the IRC. This will allow the IRC Proposed Schedule of Work to remain at the forefront of the IRC goals and objectives and have the flexibility to respond to the industry needs as they arise.

The Electrotechnology Training Package is currently being transitioned to the Standards for Training Packages 2012. Throughout this process the IRC, in consultation with industry, will assess the currency of all units of competency and qualifications to ensure they meet the needs of industry. Upon completion of transition, the IRC does not anticipate that any of the Electrotechnology Training Package qualifications, skill sets or units of competency contained within the Training Package, will

be required to be reviewed again in the four-year period. The exception to this would be where there is regulatory or legislative change, or Industry driven change due to safety requirements or specific technology advancement.

The Electrotechnology IRC has not identified any training product that is expected to be contentious or lengthy in terms of development timelines.

TRANSITION2017 - 2018The transition of the 87 qualifications in the UEE Electrotechnology Training Package and the relevant units of competency and skill sets has commenced and will be carried out in a staged process based on priorities identified by the IRC.

The first priorities for transition, as identified by the IRC, are the Certificate III – Electrotechnology Electrician and Certificate II – Electrotechnology (career start) qualifications.

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© Australian Industry Standards Ltd. Electrotechnology IRC Skills Forecast 2017

The IRC is continuing to set the direction and prioritisation of activities for the remainder of the Electrotechnology Training Package transition to the 2012 Standards for Training Packages.

2018 - 2021The Electrotechnology IRC will continue to identify Training Package review and development priorities, for IRC Proposed Schedule of Work inclusion.

LEGISLATIVE /REGULATORY REQUIREMENTSAny legislative or regulatory change requirements identified would take precedence over other reviews planned as these are often associated with higher workplace risk and a deadline.

As legislation or regulations are updated, the Electrotechnology Training Package and Companion Volume affected will be updated to reflect the change in legislative or regulatory requirements by a due date, generally the effective date of the legislative or regulatory change.

INTERDEPENDENCIESElectrotechnology Training Package qualifications include imported units of competency, within core and elective qualification packaging rules. Industry sector interdependencies that will potentially initiate future UEE11 qualification reviews include imported units from sixteen (16) interdependent Training Packages (inclusive of predecessor releases).

• BSB07 - Business Services Training Package• CPC08 - Construction, Plumbing and Services Training

Package• CPP07 - Property Services Training Package• HLT - Health• ICT10 - Integrated Telecommunications Training

Package• MEM05 - Metal and Engineering Training Package• MSS11 - Sustainability Training Package• NWP07 - Water Training Package• PMA08 - Chemical, Hydrocarbons and Refining Training

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• RII - Resources and Infrastructure Industry Training Package

• TLI10 - Transport and Logistics Training Package• UEP12 - Electricity Supply Industry - Generation Sector

Training Package• UET12 - Transmission, Distribution and Rail Sector

Training Package• UEG11 - Gas Industry Training Package• CUA - Creative Arts and Culture Training Package• MSF - Furnishing Training Package

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PROPOSED SCHEDULE OF WORK - 2017/18 - 2020/21Electrotechnology Industry Reference Committee Contact: Chief Operating Officer, Australian Industry Standards Date Submitted: Friday, 28 April 2017

PLANNED REVIEW START

(YEAR)

TRAINING PACKAGE

CODE

TRAINING PACKAGE

NAME

QUALIFICATION CODE QUALIFICATION NAME UNIT OF

COMPETENCY CODEUNIT OF

COMPETENCY NAME

2017-2018 UEE – Electrotechnology UEE30811 Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician All Training Package Components to be transitioned to the 2012 Standards for Training Packages.

This work has commenced as per the executed Additional Activity Order

UEE22011 Certificate II in Electrotechnology (Career Start)UEE20811 Certificate II in Electrical WholesalingUEE21711 Certificate II in Technical SupportUEE20411 Certificate II in Winding and AssemblyUEE33011 Certificate III in Electrical FittingUEE30611 Certificate III in Electrical Machine RepairUEE30711 Certificate III in Switchgear and ControlgearUEE41211 Certificate IV in Electrical - Rail SignallingUEE43011 Certificate IV in Electrical Equipment and

SystemsUEE42111 Certificate IV in Electrotechnology - Electrical

ContractingUEE40611 Certificate IV in Electrotechnology - Systems

Electrician

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(YEAR)

TRAINING PACKAGE

CODE

TRAINING PACKAGE

NAME



COMPETENCY NAME

2017-2018 UEE – Electrotechnology UEE42611 Certificate IV in Hazardous areas - ElectricalUEE40311 Certificate IV in Installation Inspection and

AuditsUEE50411 Diploma of Electrical EngineeringUEE53011 Diploma of Electrical Systems EngineeringUEE62211 Advanced Diploma of Electrical - EngineeringUEE62311 Advanced Diploma of Electrical Engineering -

Coal MiningUEE63011 Advanced Diploma of Electrical Systems

EngineeringUEE61211 Advanced Diploma of Engineering - Explosion

protectionUEE62111 Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology -

ElectricalUEE31211 Certificate III in Instrumentation and ControlUEE40411 Certificate IV in Electrical - InstrumentationUEE41111 Certificate IV in Electrical - Lift SystemsUEE43211 Certificate IV in Industrial Automation and

ControlUEE40911 Certificate IV in Industrial Electronics and

ControlUEE42211 Certificate IV in Instrumentation and ControlUEE50211 Diploma of Electrical and InstrumentationUEE50911 Diploma of Industrial Electronics and Control

Engineering

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(YEAR)

TRAINING PACKAGE

CODE

TRAINING PACKAGE

NAME



COMPETENCY NAME

2017-2018 UEE – Electrotechnology UEE51011 Diploma of Instrumentation and Control Engineering

UEE61111 Advanced Diploma of Automated Systems Maintenance Engineering

UEE60611 Advanced Diploma of Industrial Electronics and Control Engineering

UEE61511 Advanced Diploma of Instrumentation and Control Engineering

UEE10111 Certificate I in ElectroComms SkillsUEE21211 Certificate II in Antennae EquipmentUEE20511 Certificate II in Computer Assembly and RepairUEE20711 Certificate II in Data and Voice CommunicationsUEE20911 Certificate II in Electronic AssemblyUEE21911 Certificate II in ElectronicsUEE21011 Certificate II in Fire Alarms ServicingUEE21611 Certificate II in Security Assembly and Set-upUEE30111 Certificate III in Business EquipmentUEE30211 Certificate III in Computer Systems EquipmentUEE30311 Certificate III in Custom Electronics InstallationsUEE30411 Certificate III in Data and Voice

CommunicationsUEE30911 Certificate III in Electronics and

CommunicationsUEE31011 Certificate III in Fire Protection ControlUEE31111 Certificate III in Gaming Electronics

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(YEAR)

TRAINING PACKAGE

CODE

TRAINING PACKAGE

NAME



COMPETENCY NAME

2017-2018 UEE – Electrotechnology UEE31511 Certificate III in Rail - Communications and Networks

UEE31411 Certificate III in Security EquipmentUEE40111 Certificate IV in Computer SystemsUEE40211 Certificate IV in Electrical - Data and Voice

CommunicationsUEE40811 Certificate IV in Electrical - Fire Protection

Control SystemsUEE40711 Certificate IV in Electronics and

CommunicationsUEE41711 Certificate IV in Rail - Communications and

Network SystemsUEE41511 Certificate IV in Video and Audio SystemsUEE50111 Diploma of Computer Systems EngineeringUEE50511 Diploma of Electronics and Communications

EngineeringUEE50811 Diploma of Research and DevelopmentUEE60411 Advanced Diploma of Computer Systems

EngineeringUEE60211 Advanced Diploma of Electronics and

Communications EngineeringUEE61711 Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology -

ElectronicsUEE61811 Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology -

Computer Systems

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(YEAR)

TRAINING PACKAGE

CODE

TRAINING PACKAGE

NAME



COMPETENCY NAME

2017-2018 UEE – Electrotechnology UEE20111 Certificate II in Split Air-conditioning and Heat Pump Systems

UEE32211 Certificate III in Air-conditioning and Refrigeration

UEE32111 Certificate III in Appliance ServiceUEE42811 Certificate IV in Air-conditioning Systems

Energy Management and ControlUEE42711 Certificate IV in Air-conditioning and

Refrigeration ServicingUEE40511 Certificate IV in Electrical - Air-conditioning Split

SystemsUEE42911 Certificate IV in Refrigeration and Air-

conditioning SystemsUEE51211 Diploma of Air-conditioning and Refrigeration

EngineeringUEE50311 Diploma of Electrical and Refrigeration and Air-

conditioningUEE51111 Diploma of Engineering Technology -

Refrigeration and Air-conditioningUEE62511 Advanced Diploma of Air-conditioning and

Refrigeration EngineeringUEE62411 Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology -

Air-conditioning and RefrigerationUEE21311 Certificate II in Remote Area Essential ServiceUEE21411 Certificate II in Remote Area Power Supply

Maintenance

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(YEAR)

TRAINING PACKAGE

CODE

TRAINING PACKAGE

NAME



COMPETENCY NAME

2017-2018 UEE – Electrotechnology UEE22111 Certificate II in Sustainable Energy (Career Start)

UEE32011 Certificate III in Renewable Energy - ELVUEE42011 Certificate IV in Electrical - Photovoltaic systemsUEE41911 Certificate IV in Electrical - Renewable EnergyUEE43111 Certificate IV in Energy Efficiency and

AssessmentUEE41011 Certificate IV in Energy Management and

ControlUEE41611 Certificate IV in Renewable EnergyUEE50711 Diploma of Renewable Energy EngineeringUEE62011 Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology -

Renewable EnergyUEE60911 Advanced Diploma of Renewable Energy

Engineering

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AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRY STANDARDSAustralian Industry Standards (AIS) provides high-quality, professional secretariat services to the Electrotechnology Industry Reference Committee, in our role as a Skills Service Organisation.

AIS provide services to eleven allocated IRCs which also cover the Gas, Electricity, Aviation, Corrections, Public Safety (including Police, Fire and Emergency Services, Defence), Water, Transport and Logistics, Rail and Maritime industries. AIS supports these important industry sectors using our world class in-house capability and capacity in technical writing, quality assurance, project management and industry engagement in the production of training packages.

AIS was established in early 2016, 20 years after its predecessor the Transport and Logistics Industry Skills Council (TLISC) was established in 1996. More information about AIS can be found at www.australianindustrystandards.org.au

• We support industry growth and productivity through our modern innovative approach to establishing skills standards.

• We provide high-quality, professional secretariat services to help our allocated industry reference committees develop the skills that industry needs.

• We partner with industry to shape the workforce of the future.

http://www.australianindustrystandards.org.au


Australian Industry Standards acknowledges the financial support received by the Commonwealth to operate as a Skills Service Organisation.

AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRY STANDARDS

P (03) 9604 7200 E [email protected] Level 2, 31 Market Street South Melbourne 3205

skills electrotechnology irc forecast · • certificate ii in remote area power supply maintenance...

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