The imminent LNG industry in Queensland has focused the attention of both the Queensland Government and the Federal Government on gas sector issues. It is now up to the pipeline industry to ensure that some of this funding is made available to this industry. Now is the time to apply to the Australian Government for funding to assist with training and skills development in time to meet the challenges of the expected growth in the industry in Queensland.

As the ‘midstream’ sector of the gas industry, pipeliners seem to slip under the radar of media and public focus. The infrastructure is out of sight and out of mind – and safe. Through excellent management, the pipeline industry has safely and reliably ensured gas supply to major demand centres. Unfortunately, attention often doesn’t fall on those who do a good job.

Nevertheless, it’s a job that is vital to the Australian economy. Gas currently supplies around 23 per cent of Australia’s primary energy and it is all delivered to users via pipelines every day without issue. Given that the primary energy metric measures how much of a fuel is consumed in Australia (rather than how much usable energy it supplies), the contribution gas makes to Australia’s energy usage is actually higher than the figures demonstrate. Predictions by a range of analysis are that gas usage in Australia will at least double over the next two decades.

It is clear that much, if not most, of the current workforce won’t be around in two decades’ time. When the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations survey is complete we will have a better understanding of the number. As these experienced pipeliners retire, the industry is likely to lose their valuable skills and experience. Also, it is the existing workforce that provides our training capability. If we don’t take action now, the pipeline industry could lose the ability to train the next generation of workers.

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Some training is occurring, through registered training organisations (who are APIA members) and in some TAFE courses. A lot of training is undertaken in-house and is company-specific.

This industry must develop a consistently trained workforce with nationally recognised qualifications. A national gas training package already exists, managed by the Utilities Industry Skills Council, EE-Oz, providing a framework to deliver certificate qualifications in a range of gas operations, systems operations and transmission construction. EE-Oz has been improving the gas training package over the last 18months with some good results. It is now up to the industry to participate so that further changes will ensure the training package delivers what this industry needs.

To access Government funding for training, a course needs to deliver a qualification from a national training package. There are other criteria that must be met, and EE-Oz is making resources available to assist with applications and help companies understand what is available.

This is an excellent opportunity for the pipeline industry to be part of the first announcements of funding under the Critical Skills Investment Fund. The APIA secretariat also has the resources to assist with applications.

The next step is attracting people to the gas industry in general and the pipeline industry in particular. Having a well-trained, well-qualified workforce is a good first step. The pipeline sector is an important part of the broader gas industry, which is getting a lot of attention at the moment through the LNG projects in Queensland, and that is a critical sector of Australia’s energy supply. Right now is the time to encourage young people to consider a career in the pipeline industry.

For more information on applying for funding under the Critical Skills Investment Fund contact Steve Davies on 02 6273 0577 or via email: sdavies@apia.asn.au