ASI drive to address skills shortages 

With skills shortages a continuing challenge, ASI has launched a major drive to encourage students into steel careers. The three-part initiative will see ASI:

• partner with fabricator members to promote steel careers to high school career students at school career expos. Nine Sydney-based schools and two Canberra-based schools are involved in the pilot program, which kicked off with a visit to Punchbowl High School. 
• launch of new online videos on the ASI website interviewing young people about their pathways into steel. Five careers are explored in the latest release: commercial manager; civil engineering draftsperson; people, culture and compliance manager; fabrication project manager; and fitter/machinist. 
• look to renew its successful sponsorship of the national WorldSkills Australia competition to showcase the talents of young steel apprentices. 

Anne said industry participation benefitted members by connecting them directly with their local schools, and potential apprentices. ASI worked with Elodie Tran and her team at Icon Metal on the separate initiative to develop the career videos. 

ASI fabricator members interested in attending school career expos for Year 10-12 students or offering their services to talk at schools about steel careers can contact ASI training and development manager Anne Lobascher on annel@steel.org.au or 0458 907 195. 

The ASI continues to promote careers in steel through its careers’ jobs site. Premium jobs are also featured in the ASI’s monthly newsletter, which is emailed to more than 20,000 people.