Engineers Australia has welcomed the Australian Universities Accord while calling for focused action on the engineering workforce.

“The Accord sets a visionary direction for the future, reflecting a commitment to enhance Australia's higher education sector. However, with engineering shortages called out in both the interim and final reports, Engineers Australia stresses the need for any implementation to address the specific requirements of professions experiencing skills shortage, particularly engineering,” said Engineers Australia CEO Romilly Madew AO.

“The engineering profession is critical to Australia's economic growth. Yet, there is a concerning gap between the current supply of engineering talent and the growing demand in various sectors. The Accord is commendable in its ambitious targets. It will be critical to see that the Government’s response and its implementation target the acute needs of workforces like engineering, where demand continues to outstrip local supply.”

The engineering peak body is pushing for a more focused approach to ensure that the Accord not only sets a direction but also delivers tangible outcomes for sectors where skill shortages are most acute.

“With many of the challenges identified in the report impacting the engineering profession, engineering could be used to test many of the recommended initiatives,” Ms Madew said.

“Engineers Australia urges the Australian Government to implement a nationally coordinated plan for the engineering workforce. This strategy should focus on the whole engineering team, collaborating with both the vocational education and higher education sectors, increasing graduates and ensure their skills align with Australia's evolving industry needs. It should involve collaboration between the tertiary sector, industry, and government, leveraging each sector's strengths to build a sustainable pipeline of engineering talent.

“With extensive expertise and a deep understanding of the engineering sector, Engineers Australia can support the Government to shape practical and affordable solutions in a workforce strategy that meets both current and future demands.”