FFTITC's Nimble News 14 October 2026
MAIN STORY
FFTITC is seeking feedback from employers and industry stakeholders about current workforce and skills pressures across the Food, Fibre and Timber industries.
We want to better understand which occupations and skills are difficult to find, what is affecting workforce supply, what training and workforce solutions are needed, and how business and consumer confidence is influencing recruitment and future workforce decisions.
Your feedback will help us identify emerging workforce priorities and inform our advice to government, the training sector and other stakeholders.
The survey is short (6-7 questions) and should only take a few minutes to complete. Click here to have your say
QUALIFICATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
The Agricultural Trade Qualification Project is now moving into the Consensus Gathering phase. Skills Insight invites you to participate in one or more of the upcoming online sessions. These sessions provide an opportunity to review the revised drafts, discuss key issues, and help determine whether the proposed training products are ready to progress towards endorsement.
A new project is underway to examine entry-level training pathways across the agriculture, forestry and fishery industries. The review will examine Certificate II qualifications within the AHC Agriculture, Horticulture, and Conservation and Land Management Training Package considering their structures, areas of overlap, gaps and pathways.
This project will assist the engineered wood products sector to meet current and emerging skills needs, improve access to training and maximise return on training investment. The skills review will gather and analyse intelligence on current and emerging skills, technological changes and workforce growth projections, including expected sourcing of labour.
This project has moved to finalisation and has delivered a suite of industry resources to help stakeholders better understand the skills, occupations and career pathways across the sector.
TextileWorks continues to be the dedicated voice for Australia's textile, clothing and footwear industries and now sits under FibreSkills Australia. Also sitting under FibreSkills Australia is ForestWorks and FurnishingWorks.
OTHER INFORMATION, REPORTS AND EVENTS
Still time to register for this conference – “Growing our Future” on 18th November 2026. Theme is Shaping the Future of Horticulture: Resilience, Innovation and Sustainable Growth.
Jobs and Skills Australia’s 2026 Jobs and Skills Report helps Australia better understand and prepare for changing workforce needs.
The Department of Energy and Economic Diversification has recently published the September monthly WA Economic Profile.
This report examines how wellbeing can influence apprenticeship outcomes. It also identifies the workplace factors that help apprentices feel supported, stay engaged and continue their training.
The Deadly Jobs Expo will provide an opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to engage directly with employers, industries, career pathways and support services in one location on Tuesday 20 October - 9.00am to 2.30pm at the South Metropolitan TAFE's Rockingham campus.
From 1 December, updated workplace exposure limits for airborne contaminants such as dust, chemicals, fumes, gases, mould and organic matter apply across Western Australia. Practical guidance for agricultural employers, workers, health and safety representatives and industry professionals on identifying and managing airborne contaminants on farm.
Did you know TAC has webinars, podcasts and resources to help you with the 2025 Standards, regulation best practice and industry currency?
AI has rapidly emerged as an important topic of focus for the education sector as it reshapes the future of work, the capabilities needed, and the way educators support their development. In this TAFETalks you will learn about the goals of the Castlereagh Statement. Wednesday 28 October 2026, 2pm-3pm AEDT.
The West Australian government has invited applications for Governing Council positions on the states TAFEs. Applications must be lodged by November 13.
BuildSkills Australia, the Manufacturing Industry Skills Alliance, and Skills Insight published this report which represents a significant shift in how buildings and structures are produced. The report looks at the workforce and skills implications of the new technologies.
Close to half of Australians believe they have more education than their job requires, a dynamic that is associated with lower job and life satisfaction. A quarter of people also cannot fully use their skills and abilities in their current job.
The federal government’s Intergenerational Report published recently, shows Australia will need significantly more skilled workers if we want to flourish in a rapidly changing world.
We hope this information has been useful to you. If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out!
Food, Fibre and Timber Industries Training Council
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