Australia must upskill its workforce for digitalisation and automation in the transport sector to create new job opportunities and stay competitive among Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, according to a new report.
The report titled, “Creating our future transport and mobility workforce: Understanding the workforce implications of transport digitalisation and automation in Australia,” was undertaken by iMOVE Cooperative Research Centre and Swinburne University in response to the evolving workforce requirements for the adoption of digital technologies in transportation.
The report recognises that transportation digitisation and automation will have a substantial impact on the industry, with certain occupations changing or becoming obsolete as a result of technology such as connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs), electric vehicles (EVs), and blockchain.
It also identifies several new career prospects, such as fleet service technicians, transportation aids, and software engineers, which will necessitate workforce upskilling.
According to an EV case study in the report, a 50 per cent EV adoption rate by 2030 could increase real GDP by $2.9 billion and add 13,400 new jobs.
In the research, critical digital and automation skills – including expertise with autonomous robotics, simulation tools, Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence – are listed as those that are predicted to be in high demand.
The importance of soft skills like communication, critical thinking, and complex problem-solving is also emphasised in the paper.
In order to close the digital skills gap, the report recommends a coordinated national strategy that includes modernised secondary and tertiary education, tax credits and deductions for employer-based training, a national grants program, and a national digital literacy curriculum.
The analysis also lists 18 jobs in the transport sector that are likely to be highly automated and will have altered skill requirements as a result.
Australia can ensure its workforce is well-equipped for the future by addressing data gaps, co-designing training courses and materials, and building a framework for digital skills by occupation in the transport and freight sectors, the paper noted.
“Automated vehicles and digitalisation in the transport sector are set to redefine the workforce, creating both opportunities and challenges. While some tasks could be redefined in the longer term, the demand for other jobs or skills is also expected to rise,” said Ian Christensen, iMOVE CRC managing director.
Christensen claimed the report is a crucial first step in understanding how the industry can move forward by identifying how workforce development, employment, and autonomous technologies are intertwined with educational initiatives.
“This comprehensive research serves as a catalyst to kickstart a national conversation on policy development for transport digitalisation skills and training. By investing in digital skills training and fostering a collaborative environment, Australia can take advantage of these new opportunities and create a more resilient and future-ready transport workforce,” he added.
Meanwhile, Prof Hussein Dia at Swinburne University of Technology stated the transportation sector is undergoing quick changes in key themes that will influence the mobility environment over the next 20 years.
He said, “This research has uncovered a critical challenge. Stakeholder consultations with the transport industry in Australia showed that 70% of employees felt unprepared for the digital transport skills of the future. And nearly half of surveyed organisations acknowledged a significant digital transport skills gap that needs to be overcome.”
Prof Dia urges Australia to “start now to create a suitably qualified digital workforce to realise the benefits.”
The Australian Government contributed $110,000 toward the $220,000 research report, and iMOVE CRC and Swinburne University each contributed $55,000.
