Manufacturing forum highlights labour, supply chain, energy issues

Industrial relations, supply chains and logistics, and critical infrastructure needs were highlighted as top issues at our latest Special Manufacturing Forum.

Held onsite at Coogee Chemicals, in the Kwinana Industrial Area, CCIWA Members also noted that while labour shortages were improving, the labour market is still quite tight.

Members disputed claims that no one wants to be an apprentice, pointing to record recent interest. For example, one Member noted that they received over 300 applications for a recent apprentice position.

‘When supply chains are down, WA bears the cost’

The Forum heard that supply chains have re-emerged as a key area of concern, particularly the lack of suitable export and import infrastructure. Road and rail infrastructure is crucial to linking WA to the rest of the country and to ports, for export by ship.

“Every time the train line is down, we have to spend at least $100,000 each week on trucks back east,” one forum Member said.

Discussion also turned to energy as a key issue in WA, with reliable and affordable energy underpinning future manufacturing opportunities in WA.

Forum Members also heard from CCIWA partner Epigroup, one of WA’s leading work health and safety consultancies, about some of their latest virtual reality technologies.

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