The Australian Arab Business Council on April 9 held a Looking for Skilled Workers event at La Castelle Bankstown which saw an insightful panel of Simon Diab from Simon Diab and Associates, Batoul Khayat from KPR Recruitment, and Fayek Mersi from Student World provide in depth insights into skilled workers, immigration, and challenges faced in certain industries due to skilled shortages.
CEO of the AABC, George Bousamra kicked off the event with some opening remarks before the event moderator, Rhonda Adams, introduced the panel of business leaders. Fayek Mersi from Student World said that while there are large numbers of skilled workers and migrants, there is, however, a misconnection amongst the employers, businesses and skilled people and pointed out that the caps on the number of International students have affected the need for more skilled workers in Australia.
Mersi emphasized that reforms to improve the issue of skilled workers could be clearer paths for skilled workers and clearer processes for their paths and for extending their stay. Mersi said the best reforms can be clearer paths, clearer processes and encouragement for international migrants, skilled workers and students who arrive in Australia and for them to be employed and participate in the workforce.
Diab highlighted that we need a better pathway where we can get many migrants coming on skilled visas that are on a temporary basis. He further said most people come on a temporary skilled visa want to stay and pointed out that there is a pathway now where you can move to a permanent visa but commented that not all visas will lead to a permanent visa and said that a better pathway would be a good reform which will streamline the proceses instead of a person coming in and not know if they have to leave in two years or if they can stay on a longer term permanently.
The construction industry has had the most impact from the lack of skilled workers. Operations manager at KPR Solutions Batoul Khayat highlighted that the most critical skills shortages are around skills trades such as asbestos handlers, carpenters, electricians, roofers and skilled traffic controllers. Batoul emphasized that having a shortage in those areas will result in project delays, reflecting directly on financial restraints after that.
Skilled workers are vital for any industry. Khayat highlighted why they are important. “Skilled workers are vital for any industry because they are the people who are fit for the particular requirements for those roles, so whether they qualified or have the experience, they then become the skill level that is required to fulfil the competencies, fulfil the workload required for that particular trade,” Khayat highlighted.
Additionally, she pointed out that increasing the number of skilled workers involves having apprenticeships, traineeships, and advocacy in introducing more migrants. “Things like industry-aligned visa pathways but predominantly your apprenticeships and traineeships,” Khayat pointed out.
Solutions to adjusting to new laws and still being able to help skills shortages were also discussed by the panel. Diab mentioned the Australian Government has been granting and encouraging skilled Visas for many years now and that it is not difficult to get one. He pointed out that employers need to talk to recruitment agencies or talk to people overseas who are interested in coming to Australia on a skilled visa.
Khayat emphasized that she believes locally that recruitment agencies can partner up with RTOs and on board candidates through the partnership with the RTOs and further upskill them and equip them with the necessary skillset, certificates they require and levels of competency for them to maintain and acquire a presence onsite. Mersi highlighted that lifting the caps on skilled migration as well as international students coming to Australia and updating the shortage skills list and emphasized that updating the list is a must.
The event provided a great opportunity for the Australian Arab Business Council community to network and engage in meaningful conversations. Dinner was also provided at the event, with the next AABC event occurring on Wednesday, May 14.
