A growing skills shortage in the Australian communications industry could cause delays to the National Broadband Network (NBN) rollout.

This is according to the country's industry union, which has warned that the $43 billion scheme needs more talented labor, particularly in rural areas, ABC reports.

President of the Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union (CEPU) Len Cooper has urged the government to provide training investment and wages incentives to ensure the project is a success.

"The question of getting the resources to train the people in the regional areas has got more complications obviously because of the distances," he noted.

Mr Cooper suggested that former Telstra employees should be lured back to the sector in order to fill skills gaps.

His comments were echoed by James Tinslay, chief executive of the National Electrical Communications Association, who highlighted the need for investment in training.

The Australian government announced in April 2009 that a new company was being established to create and operate the NBN and entered into an agreement with Telstra regarding its rollout in June this year.

Posted by Kate Griffin