ARTICLES

ASI has a strong focus on promoting steel as a career path. In 2024-20225, this included:  Developing online resources to attract and educate young people regarding career pathways, qualifications and emerging roles in the steel industry.   Partnering with members attending school careers expos to educate careers advisers, parents and students.   Interviewing five Icon Metal employees about their careers in steel for educational videos on the ASI website. The videos built awareness for school students interested in a career in steel.   Meeting with Illawarra and Shoalhaven Workplace Learning (ISWLP) to explore work experience for high school students. Twelve local businesses were approached by the ASI to host students, with two taking up the offer.   Meeting with the Department of Education NSW (Regional Industry Education Partnerships Programs) and other relevant bodies (Manufacturing Skills Queensland, Manufacturing Industry Skills Alliance) to discuss issues like barriers to apprenticeships...

2024-2025 saw the ASI provide input to government and receive advice on a range of issues including:  welding fumes, regulation of hexavalent chromium, building collapses and crane licencing. Of key interest to ASI fabricator members and circulated to them for use as collateral when tendering for work was a WorkSafe Victoria safety alert warning of the need to have proper quality assurance systems in place to determine reliability of imported steelwork. Not ensuring the imported steelwork meets Australian Standards may result in catastrophic structural collapse, the safety alert warns. For details, see: https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/imported-structural-steelwork.  ASI also played a key role in crane safety after accepting an invitation by the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry to represent it on the Safe Work Australia Crane Licence Review Working Group. As part of that project, ASI distributed and collated a survey on improving crane licensing under the model work health...

2025-2026 is shaping as an exciting but challenging year for the ASI and the steel industry.  Key priorities for the ASI in the coming 12 months will be: Protecting local fabricators from the surge in very low-priced imported fabricated steelwork through trade measures. Supporting a new AS/NZS ISO 3834 certification process to join AS/NZS 5131 certification under an expanded Steelwork Compliance Australia (SCA) scheme.  Implementing a new traceability system for steel products. Engaging with governments on renewable energy projects.  Advocating for local steel content in government and private industry contracts, and monitoring contracts to ensure local content regulations are enforced. Promoting the Steel Sustainability Australia (SSA) scheme to provide pathways for members to meet sustainability requirements in their projects. Representing on Australian Standards committees. Protecting and growing Australian steel by supporting the Australian Resources Recovery Council initiative...

Met with Western Australia’s Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation, Manufacturing and Skills, and TAFE Amber-Jade Sanderson, and the Premier Roger Cook seeking strong procurement rules that ensure sub-contractors use local supply chains. Talking points included Made in WA policy, WA Jobs Act (2017), WA Industry Participation Strategy and WA Local Manufacturing Investment Fund.  Ongoing consultation continues with the Western Australia State Government regarding traceability and the Federal Government’s guidelines document. The state is investigating the role of traceability in decarbonisation and the circular economy. Western Australia’s wind farm development is at a crossroads with onshore and offshore both facing protests and urgent demand from new industrial developments such as the Murchison Green Hydrogen Project. ASI has advised the government that steel supply is critical for the state’s ambitions and original equipment manufacturers should be encouraged to engage with the industry. Met...