Securing Manufacturing’s Knowledge Legacy

In an industry where expertise takes years to develop and minutes to walk out the door, Queensland manufacturers can access a fully funded program that will transform technical experts into effective trainers.

The Industry Trainer Program, launched by Manufacturing Skills Queensland and delivered by TAFE Queensland, addresses a critical challenge facing the manufacturing industry: how to effectively transfer specialised knowledge from experienced staff to the next generation.

Manufacturing Skills Queensland’s Director of Program Delivery and Commercial Kris McCue said Queensland’s industry was seeing a dramatic demographic shift.

“With nearly 23,500 skilled manufacturing workers expected to retire within the next decade, we need to be proactive about preserving and transferring their valuable knowledge and expertise.”

“What makes this particularly concerning is that we’re not just losing workers – we’re losing decades of specialist knowledge that can’t be quickly replaced,” says Kris.

“In manufacturing, expertise isn’t just learned from textbooks. It’s the practical know-how developed through years of hands-on experience.”

The problem is compounded by the industry’s shift toward advanced manufacturing technologies, where specialised skills are even more critical. As automation and digitisation reshape the industry, employees from machine operators to senior engineers must develop an understanding of digital tools and processes.

“As manufacturing processes become more sophisticated, the expertise of experienced workers becomes even more valuable,” says Kris.

Bridging the Knowledge Gap

The Industry Trainer Program aims to address this challenge by equipping experienced manufacturers and technicians with the essential skills to facilitate workplace-based learning.

The fully funded accredited skill set gives participants the tools and techniques necessary to communicate complex ideas, engage diverse learners, and foster workplace learning. It includes two critical units: Make Presentations (BSBCMM411) and Provide Work Skill Instruction (TAEDEL311).

“We’ve designed this program specifically to help manufacturers who are excellent at their craft but may not naturally know how to transfer that knowledge,” McCue says.

Getting Started

The Industry Trainer Program is fully subsidised and available at no cost to Queensland manufacturers and their employees through TAFE Queensland.

For more information or to enrol in the Industry Trainer Program, visit go.msq.org.au/industry-trainer.

This is an accredited course. Upon successful completion learners will be awarded a statement of attainment for the unit BSBCMM411 Make Presentations and TAEDEL311 Provide Work Skill Instruction. This course is delivered by TAFE Queensland (RTO 0275), with funding from Manufacturing Skills Queensland.