Modelling from the Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency shows there will be a big decline in the sector's construction workforce over the coming years, with employment likely to peak at 83,324 workers in 2014 and fall to 7708 in 2018.

The agency, which operates independently as a federal statutory authority, said a strong industry response would be necessary to help prevent the skills shortage.

With companies transitioning from construction to production AWPA chair Philip Bullock said demand for professional and specialist jobs would rise as trade and labour opportunities disappeared.

"Workforce planning needs to proceed quickly to ensure domestic workers are available to fill time-critical shortages in the second half of this decade," he said.

"Global competition for skilled workers is increasing and with a long lead time required to develop critical skills, industry, government and education and training providers have an opportunity now to work together to develop responses to meet these skills challenges."

A number of industry bodies helped contribute to AWPA's report, including the Minerals Council of Australia, Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association and the Australian Council of Trade Unions.

AWPA board member Keith Spence said the report had identified opportunities for the resources sector to retrain trade and construction workers and keep them on in operational roles.

"Having people who are multi-skilled is highly valuable, so those trade workers that are transitioning out of construction into operations that can have these supplementary skills can become extremely valuable and attractive employees in the future," he said.

"A focus on skills development will ensure Australia's domestic workforce remains a strong source of skills.

"I would hope that, while in the short term we will need to bring in overseas experience, there is going to be a commitment to training Australians to fill these positions in the longer term."

To help meet demand for skilled workers, AWPA recommended the industry work with the education sector to encourage and build strategies for the development of maths, science, technology and engineering skills.

Support for career advice and postgraduate qualifications, as well as transitional training programs, was also marked as a focus area.