Submission by Department of Transport to committee of inquiry into technological change in Australia

A common factor emerging is the trend towards a more highly skilled workforce, as technological developments eliminate the need to manually perform the more routine, low skill tasks. This should not however cause substantial reductions in the level of employment, for a number of reasons. Experience in the past has shown that the aviation industry has been a high growth area and the reduced labour requirements resulting from the application of new technologies have generally been balanced by the increasing demands on the provision of infrastructure services. This trend is expected to continue into the future but to a somewhat lesser extent. It is not possible to say whether there will be a full counterbalancing effect on manpower requirements. A similar trend is expected in the marine sector. In the land transport sector, community resistance is expected to prevent rapid reductions in manpower, due to opposition to the introduction of labour efficient transport systems. The impact upon individuals could nevertheless be serious, with some finding the requirement for their particular skills diminishing, others finding greater demands being placed upon them. The significance of this will vary with the individual depending on his previous training, age, adaptability to change etc. This is a challenge the department must meet if maximum advantage is to be gained from future technological developments. Implicit in this challenge is the need to be fully aware of the social impact of technological change and for adequate consultation with unions and staff associations.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/064204743X
• Corporate Authors:

  Australia. Department of Transport

  ,    
• Publication Date: 1980

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 77P ON MICROFICHE NO 71

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air transportation; Alternate fuels; Employment; Freight transportation; Highway transportation; Industries; Legislation; Personnel; Public transit; Sociology; Technology; Transportation planning
• Geographic Terms: Australia
• ATRI Terms: Air transport; Alternative fuel; Change; Employment; Freight transport; Industry; Legislation; Personnel; Public transport; Road transport; Sociology; Technology; Transport planning
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Freight Transportation; Law; Public Transportation; Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01438187
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• ISBN: 064204743X
• Files: ATRI
• Created Date: Aug 24 2012 9:24PM