The essential role people play in bringing AUKUS to life  

Much of the discourse around the strategic partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States (US) (AUKUS) focuses on cutting-edge technologies like nuclear propulsion, quantum computing, and artificial intelligence (AI) in the defence and aerospace (D&A) sector. However, innovative technologies will only take Australia’s defence capabilities so far without skilled people sitting in the driver’s seat, ensuring these tools act as they should to deliver on the AUKUS promise. Glenn McPhee, executive general manager of ManpowerGroup Talent Solutions and head of the company’s D&A practice, recently shared insights with Australian Defence Magazine (ADM) about why people are crucial to the success of AUKUS in fortifying the nation’s borders, and why it’s vital to have the right people, with the right skills, in the right jobs. 

The scale of this challenge cannot be understated, especially as an anticipated shortfall of 200,000 engineers by 2040 is threatening to derail Australia’s capacity to deliver on major projects.1 This issue extends beyond engineering, affecting various critical sectors from logistics to cybersecurity; for example, the Australian Submarine Agency predicts an anticipated growth of 8,500 direct jobs in the submarine sector alone, underscoring the urgent need for strategic policy interventions.2 

ManpowerGroup Talent Solutions believes that an AUKUS-driven solution could be the key to unlocking the potential of the defence and aerospace industry workforce, and recently commissioned a report exploring defence skill mobility as it relates to AUKUS. Importantly, Australia, the US, and the UK must foster a shared policy approach to address workforce challenges head-on. A pivotal part of this strategy involves ensuring the portability of security clearances between AUKUS countries, letting skilled workers move seamlessly across borders. 

For example, the introduction of an AUKUS visa, specifically designed to facilitate the migration of skilled workers within the defence and aerospace sectors, could help to overcome expected skills and labour shortages. This approach would cater to the immediate needs of the industry, while simultaneously supporting the spouses of skilled workers, ensuring a holistic approach to workforce integration. 

For more information about the integral role people play in delivering AUKUS success, read Glenn McPhee’s insights in more detail, or download report. To learn more about how ManpowerGroup Talent Solutions can help your business mitigate ongoing skills and labour shortages and contribute to the success of AUKUS, contact the team today.