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Skill Formation in Manufacturing: Obstacles and Opportunities
Author(s) -
Curtain Richard
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
asia pacific journal of human resources
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.825
H-Index - 33
eISSN - 1744-7941
pISSN - 1038-4111
DOI - 10.1177/103841118802600402
Subject(s) - flexibility (engineering) , apprenticeship , division of labour , key (lock) , business , german , industrial organization , marketing , process management , operations management , economics , computer science , management , market economy , computer security , linguistics , philosophy , archaeology , history
This paper discusses the opportunities and obstacles to achieving a more flexible method of skill formation in Australian manufacturing, Flexibility is needed because of the changing division of labour made possible by the ready availability of computerised technologies. The response of japanese and German manufacturing firms demonstrates the necessary elements of a flexible skill use strategy. This is compared with the situation in Australia. Particular attention is given to the limitations imposed by the award system of job classifications, the role of youth‐entry apprenticeship system and lack of job security guarantees. There are, however, definite signs that these obstacles are being tackled. There is a description of efforts by companies in heavy engineering to develop more flexible skill formation processes in their workplaces. The paper concludes with an outline of the key elements of a human resource strategy and a call for their more widespread adoption to take advantage of changes now taking place in labour market institutions.