Prosperity for the West? As we emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic we have a great opportunity
For the first time since we all experienced the effects of the pandemic, research has revealed that there are urgent key needs in Melbourne’s West that if managed well will lead to greater prosperity.
Wednesday 9 March 2022
For the first time since we all experienced the effects of the pandemic, research has revealed that there are urgent key needs in Melbourne’s West that if managed well will lead to greater prosperity.
In the first phase of a ground breaking research project, Skills and Jobs for Melbourne’s West has mapped urban skills and investigated the future jobs needs of employers in four focus industry sectors – Infrastructure, Digital Economy, Social Services and Care, and Manufacturing. Importantly, marked growth in the West of Melbourne working age population over the coming decade will need to be supported by equally strong levels of employment in our region. But there are challenges that need to be addressed. Key findings- Most employers in the West of Melbourne report a skills gap in the local labour force.
- The local labour force in the West of Melbourne serves some industries well but often in lower skilled occupations.
- Many residents in the West of Melbourne commute out of the area for work and this will worsen in the future.
- Employers reported additional problems in staff recruitment, retention, career development, progression and building up employees’ skills.
- Only a third of employers have active links with training providers.
Contact us
Michael Williams
Project Manager, Centre for International Research on Education Systems
[email protected]