Responding to a call by Mr Forrest, TAFE SA chief executive David Coltman said the institution constantly consulted industry on the need for current and future workers.“We would love the opportunity to work with R. M. Williams to meet their future training needs,” he said. “TAFE SA already delivers a variety of fashion, costume and textile courses. As a direct result of recent industry feedback, we are introducing a new industrial sewing skill set from this February.”Mr Forrest and wife Nicola toured the R. M. Williams Salisbury plant this week for the first time since buying the company in October.Mr Forrest said a lack of skilled workers could inhibit growth plans, saying South Australia did not “even have a TAFE which can provide the skills”.The textile, leather, clothing and footwear manufacturing sector has been in decline because of cheap imports. Nationally, jobs have fallen from 92,600 in 2000, to 31,600 in 2020, according to the Australian Industry and Skills Committee. However, industry forecasts showed the sector had stabilised and was poised for growth with increased investment in innovation.SA business leaders said the sector was not the only one held back by skill shortages.Australian Industry Group SA director Stephen Myatt said surveys of manufacturers consistently identified gaps.There was a shortage of metal and mechanical trades workers, including fitters, boilermakers and operators of computer-controlled machining tools.“If we don’t have those skill shortages filled, we risk not maximising our opportunities in areas, such as defence,” Mr Myatt said. Shortages would increase as manufacturers looked to bring supply-chain work to SA, given the problems of relying on imports, which had been exposed in the pandemic.Business SA chief executive Martin Haese said shortages extended beyond manufacturing, especially in regional areas even when offering good pay rates. Gaps included diesel mechanics, electricians, chefs, and disability and aged care workers.“Addressing a lack of skilled workers across various industries will enable a faster return to sustained economic growth in SA,” he said.



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