Standards Australia has partnered with Weld Australia and Corrections Victoria to help address Australia’s welding skills shortage by supporting vocational training for people in prison.

The sponsorship supports a welding intensive training program delivered across eight correctional facilities, providing participants with industry-recognised qualifications and a pathway to employment upon release. The program is designed to increase the number of qualified welders nationwide while improving reintegration and long-term job outcomes.

Participants receive training aligned with Australian Standards, with Standards Australia supplying hard copies of essential welding standards to correctional facilities to ensure national safety and quality requirements are met.

Standards Australia chief executive Rod Balding says the partnership demonstrated the value of collaboration between industry, government and standards bodies: “This partnership is a powerful example of how collaboration between industry, government and standards bodies builds trust and delivers impact.”

“By equipping people in prison with recognised qualifications, we are not only addressing Australia’s skills gap but creating meaningful opportunities that strengthen our manufacturing sector,” he says.

Weld Australia has warned Australia will need an additional 70,000 welders over the next decade to meet manufacturing demand, including for defence, infrastructure and renewable energy projects.

Weld Australia chief executive Geoff Crittenden says welding skills were highly transferable and urgently needed across multiple sectors.

“Welding is a highly transferable, in-demand skill. Programs like this one are essential if we are to build the sovereign capability required for defence, infrastructure and renewable energy projects,” he says.

“By providing high-quality training and access to Australian Standards, we are equipping participants with the real-world skills industry needs right now. Weld Australia is proud to be part of an initiative that not only strengthens our manufacturing workforce but also delivers genuine social impact.”

The partners say the program directly targets workforce shortages while supporting safer training outcomes and stronger employment pathways for participants.