Sunraysia TAFE delivers mining workforce strategy for North, Central and Western West Victoria

Sunraysia TAFE has successfully delivered the Mining Skills Navigator Local Skills Partnerships Project (LSPP), developing a comprehensive workforce plan to address critical skills shortages in the mining and resources sectors across North- West, Central and Western Victoria.

The LSPP initiative brought together TAFEs, government agencies, industry bodies including the Minerals Council of Victoria and local employers such as Astron and Mandalay Resources to create regionally responsive training solutions.

Key outcomes
The project delivered a strategic framework addressing workforce attraction, training access, diversity and regional labour challenges. It maps career pathways, identifies critical roles, and proposes targeted interventions to support the mining and mineral sands sectors, with flow-on benefits for construction, renewables, and agriculture.

The project also outlines innovative makes recommendations to support the implementation of the framework including a ‘regional skills observatory’ where training providers, industry and government partners work together to collaborate more closely to check workforce trends and skills needs and provide joined up strategic skills and training responses as required. Other initiatives include a portable skills passport system to track competencies across sectors and state borders, and integration of digital and automation capabilities into training pathways.

The navigator directly supports projects in Donald, Avon Bank, Horsham and surrounding areas, with the project team demonstrating strong adaptability in responding to regional challenges such as housing shortages, workforce turnover and the need for place-based training solutions.

Keep an eye out on the VSA news page for updates on this project.