Skills needs mapped in the N.E for first time

A report mapping ‘skills in demand’ in North-East Victoria has found a shortage of workers in the construction, hospitality, transport and storage, and manufacturing industries, the Minister for Employment and Youth Affairs, Jacinta Allan, said today.

The report covered the local government areas of the Rural City of Wangaratta, the Alpine Shire, the Mansfield Shire and Benalla Rural City.

Ms Allan said the report found the construction industry was most affected when it came to a shortage of skilled workers.

“It also found the hospitality, transport and storage, and manufacturing industries are expected to face significant shortages in the coming year,” Ms Allan said.

“This report was compiled following consultation with local employers and advice from local councils to identify the skills they required in the local area.

“It is one of 11 surveys happening across the State to paint an accurate and detailed picture of regional Victoria’s skills needs.

“Like the rest of Australia, Victoria has an ageing population and emerging skills and labour shortages.

“The Bracks Government is taking the initiative to plot these shortages so we can help local job seekers into jobs where there are skills shortages through the $24 million Workforce Participation Partnerships; as well as attract targeted skill migration.”

The survey was the result of a partnership between the Bracks Government, the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations and the Rural City of Wangaratta.

For a copy of the report on skills shortages, phone (03) 9208 3373 or see http://www.employment.vic.gov.au

Occupations difficult to fill in the North East include:

PROFESSIONALS: General medical practitioners;

TRADES: Motor mechanics, electricians, carpentry and joinery tradespersons, plumbers, metal fitters and machinists, bakers and pastry cooks, gardeners;

ELEMENTARY CLERICAL, SALES AND SERVICE WORKERS: Sales Assistants, General Clerks;

INTERMEDIATE PRODUCTION AND TRANSPORT AND SERVICE WORKERS: Truck drivers, waiters, mobile construction plant operators, bar attendants; and

LABOURERS: Cleaners, kitchen hands and farm hands.