The future of work is no longer on the horizon — it’s here. Automation, decarbonisation, and a rapidly retiring workforce are converging to reshape what it means to lead Maintenance & Reliability teams across Australia.

So, how ready are we?

The 2024/25 edition of Skilling Up: Future-Ready Maintenance & Reliability Teams reveals that most organisations are only just beginning to grapple with these challenges — and many feel underprepared. With input from 216 professionals across 71 companies, this research offers a rare and valuable snapshot into how the industry is responding.

What’s inside the report?

‍The report uncovers challenges you may be facing already — and the ones you’re not yet prepared for:

• Why the traditional apprenticeship model is breaking down
• The rising urgency of soft skills (and why we’re still ignoring them)
• How knowledge is walking out the door — and what to do about it
• Next-gen expectations, and what they mean for your leadership
• Why training isn’t sticking, and how top teams are changing that

It’s not all problems — the research also outlines real-world, community-driven solutions. From building structured mentoring programs to embedding long-term training strategies, the findings help you benchmark, prepare, and take action.

Download the full report to get the data, stories, and steps that matter.