Skills Reports
High level skills in biosecurity and sustainability are foundational to Australia’s aquaculture and wild catch workforce, which has a reputation for producing high quality seafood. This is underpinned by current and emerging practices utilising technology and traceability systems to provide consumers with information on seafood provenance and production methods, inclusive of aquatic animal health, marine ecosystem management, carbon emission mitigation, food safety and regulatory compliance. The industry covers a broad range of occupations across the value chain, and there are many potential opportunities for growth, requiring investment, skills and workforce planning, as well as recognition of custodianship and the roles performed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples.
Skills Impact prepared a draft Industry Skills Report at the request of the Aquaculture and Wild Catch Industry Reference Committee (IRC). It provides coverage of additional industry-specific skills and priorities to those covered in the Agribusiness, Food and Fibre Industries Skills Report. The report may also assist in identifying industry issues requiring consideration alongside work to streamline and reform the Australian VET system, including through cross-industry collaboration.
The report underwent public consultation on the Skills Impact website from 5 July to 31 July 2022, and we appreciate all the feedback received. Your input has been used to make final edits to the document, which is available to download below.
Skills Forecasts
In previous years, skills reporting has taken the form of a Skills Forecast or Annual Update, which have been submitted by the relevant IRC to the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC). They propose a four year plan for reviewing and developing relevant units, skill sets and qualifications across a training package. They were created once every three years and updated annually. The Annual Updates identified any specific changes to the industry environment, and to address current priority issues.
Every year in April, the full Skills Forecast or Annual Update was submitted by the relevant IRC to the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC). The AISC would then advise Commonwealth and State Industry and Skills Ministers on the implementation of national vocational education and training policies, and approve nationally recognised training packages.
The AISC would draw on this information to update their AISC National Schedule, and to determine future Training Package Projects.
Aquaculture and Wild Catch Skills Forecasts Archive
2021 Annual update to 2019 – 2022 Skills Forecast
2020 Annual Update to 2019 – 2022 Skills Forecast
2016 – 2019 Four Year Work Plan
Please note: IRC Skills Forecasts were originally called Four Year Work Plans.
Development Process of IRC Skills Forecasts
