Skills Reports

Australia is reliant on the skills of the pulp and paper workforce to produce a range of essential everyday products, from printing and packaging to sanitary and medical supplies. In recent years, industry has managed the impacts of COVID-19 and related supply chain issues; bushfires and forest access issues; and global market disruptions as a result of the war in Ukraine. Even in the face of these challenges Australian pulp and paper manufacturing continues to pursue and exceed sustainability and innovation goals.

Skills Impact prepared the Pulp and Paper Manufacturing Industry Skills Report at the request of the Pulp and Paper Manufacturing Industry Reference Committee. It provides information on industry-specific skills and priorities additional 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 August until 22 August 2022, and we appreciate all 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 are 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.

Pulp and Paper Manufacturing Skills Forecasts Archive

2021 Annual Update to 2019 – 2022 Skills Forecast

2020 Annual Update to 2019 – 2022 Skills Forecast 

2019 – 2022 Skills Forecast

2018 – 2021 Skills Forecast

2017 – 2020 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