- Discussed with Queensland Government representatives the commitment by the previous government to require SCA certification of steel fabricators to AS/NZS 5131 as a prequalification to work on government building projects. It was confirmed that the new government will likely support the progress of the commitment through the normal government protocols.
- Communicated with Manufacturing Skills Queensland (MSQ) regarding sharing of information on training, with the intention of gaining MSQ support for ASI initiatives. Joined the Engineering Skills and Training Industry Reference Group (IRG) at MSQ.
- Presented lectures on economical structural steelwork to third year engineering students at James Cook University, the Queensland University of Technology and the University of Southern Queensland.
- Held the ASI Steel Scholarship for 4th year University Students with support from Professor Mahen Mahendran and his team at the Queensland University of Technology. The successful scholarship winner Julian Alber received a $10,000 scholarship. With the support of the scholarship sponsor Orrcon Steel, Julian undertook a thesis on Screw in Steel Piles (SiSP) for residential and light commercial applications.
- Coordinated visits by Aaron Johnstone, Queensland Renewable Energy Jobs Advocate to local steel fabrication workshops to discuss support for local fabrication jobs. ASI’s focus to support local jobs is for the Queensland Government to put in place a local content scheme that specifies a minimum percentage of Australian milled and fabricated steel for renewable energy projects where government has control or influence of the procurement process.
- Prepared a submission to the Queensland Productivity Commission calling for the Queensland Government to introduce a Queensland Local Steel Procurement Framework tied to public works projects that mandates a minimum percentage of locally milled and fabricated steelwork in government-funded construction.
SCA launches certification to AS/NZS ISO 3834
In a significant development for Australia’s steel industry, Steelwork Compliance Australia—an independent certifying body administered by the ASI—has launched certification services for AS/NZS ISO 3834.
