Report highlights need for AI training in Australia

A report from Future Skills Organisation highlights a critical barrier to AI adoption in the workplace. It identifies a lack of access to training as a central issue among Australian finance, tech, and business workers.

The research forecasts that AI could contribute up to AUD $115 billion to Australia's economy by 2030 through enhanced labour productivity. However, Future Skills Organisation's study, conducted in collaboration with Mandala Partners, found that AI adoption remains low, with 43% of organisations currently not employing AI technologies.

The report notes a generational divide, with younger employees more inclined to use AI to improve work processes, in contrast to older workers who are less likely to utilise such technology, resulting in a productivity gap.

Despite this, a significant portion of workers recognise AI's potential impact. Over half foresee its importance shortly, and over two-thirds want to increase their AI usage. Notably, 86% of the respondents desire more AI training.

Peita Davis, Director of Skills, Education and Research at the Business Council of Australia and Employer Representative Director at Future Skills Organisation, commented on the necessity of training initiatives: "AI has the power to improve workplaces, and with the right training, employees and organisations can maximise its benefits. The FSO report highlights the need for accessible AI training that builds both skills and trust."

The report recommends a comprehensive roadmap addressing short-term and long-term training solutions to overcome adoption barriers. With an industry-led approach, the vocational education and training sector, comprising around 4,000 registered training providers and 5 million learners annually, is well-positioned to deliver scalable, quality training solutions.

Patrick Kidd OBE OAM, CEO of Future Skills Organisation, stressed the importance of investing in training, underscoring initiatives such as the National AI Capability Plan to enhance AI skills and training. "By focusing our collective attention on addressing these urgent skills gaps, we can drive innovation and growth across industries. I am excited about the role that the vocational education and training sector can play in building an AI-ready workforce of the future," Mr Kidd said.

Mr Kidd noted, "We are supporting AI adoption across Australian businesses by working in partnership with the training sector to develop training resources which can be accessed by everyone quickly and used for work, learning and life."