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National Future Skills Academy

Supporting Industry with Future-Fit Skills

In collaboration with the Queensland Government, we are tackling workforce challenges through a consultative project aimed at evaluating the need for a National Future Skills Academy.

Circuit board and AI micro processor, Artificial intelligence of digital human. 3d render

A Business Case for a

National Future Skills Academy

Industries across Australia are under increasing pressure to find workers with the right skills for a changing world

From agriculture and construction to technology and manufacturing, businesses are struggling to keep pace with rapid technological change, evolving job roles, and access to quality training—particularly in regional areas.

The National Future Skills Academy (NFSA) is a proposed concept aimed at addressing these challenges. A new Preliminary Business Case, developed by AgriBusiness Connect with support from the Queensland Government’s Ignite Ideas Fund, explores the idea of a national-scale response to the widening skills gap—and outlines a set of models and design principles that could help close it.

Why Is This Needed?

The research behind the business case draws on extensive industry and stakeholder consultation and highlights key trends shaping Australia’s current and future workforce:

– A shortfall of 228,000 workers in infrastructure alone

– Significant decline in job applications per ad (30–74% since 2019)

– 59% of applicants lacking necessary qualifications or experience

– Persistent regional skills shortages and talent drainage

– Rising training costs and difficulty accessing practical, industry-aligned learning

Designed With Industry, For Industry

Through extensive consultation with government, business, education providers, and workforce representatives, NFSA is strategically aligned to national and state objectives including:

– The National Skills Agreement

– Jobs and Skills Australia Roadmap

– Queensland’s Workforce Strategy

– Industry Growth Programs

What Will the NFSA Do?

The business case proposes a potential national framework built around four core functions:

Connector: Acting as a link between industry, education providers and individuals to improve access, reduce duplication, and streamline existing training offerings.

Advocator: Raising awareness of career opportunities, supporting the development of industry talent pipelines, and promoting inclusive workforce participation.

Provider: Offering targeted training solutions in areas of critical skills shortage—particularly where current education pathways don’t meet fast-evolving industry needs.

Supporter: Helping businesses navigate regulatory requirements, improve compliance, and access trusted training aligned with industry standards.

What’s Been Proposed?

The Preliminary Business Case proposes a clear response to the growing skills crisis: the establishment of a National Future Skills Academy (NFSA).

Through research and consultation, it’s become evident that Australia’s current education and training landscape is not adequately equipping the workforce to meet the needs of modern industry—especially in regional and emerging sectors.

To address these challenges, the report outlines three potential models, each offering a different approach to how an NFSA could function:

  1. Establish a full-service NFSA — an independent body that not only coordinates skills development but also delivers training in priority areas not currently met by existing providers.
  2. Establish a coordinating NFSA — a central connector that works alongside current institutions to improve visibility, access, and industry alignment, without directly delivering training.
  3. Maintain the status quo — no change, relying on current fragmented systems to evolve organically over time.

The preferred model proposes the creation of the NFSA as a national mechanism for workforce and skills transformation, designed to bridge gaps, support regional development, and better align training with real-world industry needs.

While no formal decision has been made to proceed, the case for change is clear: without a new, purpose-built entity like the NFSA, industry will continue to face growing skill shortages, talent loss, and constrained innovation.

What’s Next?

At this stage, the National Future Skills Academy remains a proposed initiative. The Preliminary Business Case is intended to spark sector-wide discussion, inform future planning, and highlight:

– Where current training systems are falling short

– What models might help bridge these gaps

– How education, industry and government could work more closely to build a future-ready workforce

New Future. New Skills.

The fast pace of technological advancement has left many industries with a significant skills gap. Bridging this gap is essential for businesses to stay competitive and innovate effectively. Essential skills needed include:
Artificial-Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence

Biotechnology

Biotechnology

Advanced-Robotics

Advanced Robotics

Internet of Things

Internet of Things

Renewable Energy

Renewable Energy

Automation

Automation

Traceability Tech

AR/VR

AR/VR

“We need to train Australians for the jobs of today as well as the jobs of tomorrow.”
– Prime Minister of Australia
australian-government

Download the report & connect

Want to be part of the conversation?

→ Get in touch with AgriBusiness Connect – hello@agribusinessconnect

This Business Case has been developed by AgriBusiness Connect in collaboration with BDO Australia with support from the Queensland Government’s Ignite Ideas Fund.