Skills shortages are a significant issue confronting regional Australia, with workforce numbers not growing fast enough to keep up with the demand for skilled labour. The availability of skilled workers in the right areas is critical to the economic future of our region.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Late last year, RDASI conducted a skills audit of businesses in the Southern Inland region to identify and explore skills gaps to understand the local workforce and training needs.
The survey found that 63 percent of businesses in the Goulburn Mulwaree region believe they have a skills shortage. The most significant skills shortages exist in the manufacturing sector and the motor trades and engineering sector.
In terms of what would assist businesses to attract and recruit future employees, 58 percent of businesses believe there should be greater investment into the local TAFE and university sector whilst 51 percent believe Goulburn Mulwaree needs local training of employees that is better aligned to business needs.
One local building and construction business stated, “Trade studies should be promoted in schools with local trade persons presenting the benefits of trades qualifications and the directions those qualifications can take them.”
RDASI believes that the critical skills issue must be addressed through a coordinated approach where education and training providers, councils, business chambers and RDASI work together to develop coordinated strategies to fill the skills gaps present in the region. At the heart of a skills strategy should be education – the recently opened Country Universities Centre in Goulburn is a start but based on these findings, there is still a long way to go. If you are interested in finding out more, the full report is available online at www.rdasi.org.au
