As asset-intensive industries face accelerating retirements, evolving career expectations, and fast-paced technological change, the workforce landscape is undergoing major disruption. This session addresses the dual challenge of attracting talent and preserving knowledge to maintain operational performance in a volatile environment. With critical shortages already reported in maintenance and reliability roles, organisations are losing vital expertise faster than it can be replaced, especially in regional areas where recruitment is toughest.

We’ll examine this "perfect storm" of pressures: retiring experts, growing digital demands, and a new generation with different learning styles and motivations. Research shows 37% of technical knowledge remains undocumented, and younger workers are over three times more likely to leave when knowledge isn’t shared. The session will share proven strategies, including cross-generational mentoring, digital knowledge tools, flexible roles, and partnerships with educators. We’ll explore how top organisations are reducing time-to-competency and reshaping maintenance careers to attract next-gen talent.