A new Central Coast Skills Taskforce is set to help find ways to reduce skills shortages and youth unemployment in the region.
Set up by NSW Business Chamber, Central Coast, the taskforce will investigate the mismatch between skills young people are obtaining and skills that businesses require.
Central Coast Regional Director, Paula Martin, said the Chamber’s latest Business Conditions Survey showed that 63% of Central Coast businesses are finding it difficult to employ suitably skilled staff.
“The Central Coast is facing a ‘perfect storm’ for delayed economic growth thanks to stubbornly high levels of youth unemployment, 40,000 daily commuters draining the region of valuable skills, and a persistent skills mismatch for local jobs,” Martin said.
“Businesses are delaying product development, hampering the ability to be competitive.
“Borg Manufacturing, TrendPac, North Construction & Building, Fortunity Advisory, TAFE NSW, ATO, Delta Laboratories, Central Coast Local Health District, Central Coast Industry Connect, Forsythes Recruitment & HR, Central Coast Group Training Company, UoN and various schools have all united to come up with preliminary solutions.
“So far, four key opportunities have been identified that are unique to the Central Coast which, industry believe, could restart their growth plans and create jobs.
“Lack of exposure to career pathways now and into the future is seen as the leading factor to our local skills shortage.
“There is a real disconnect between how kids view industry on the Coast leading to the pursuit of careers elsewhere.
“The Central Coast is home to some of the most innovative and technology driven practices in the State.
“The 2019 Business of the Year, Life Health Foods, works every day to solve the world’s food crisis by developing innovative plant based food solutions.
“The Skills Taskforce is challenging both industry and the local education system to work ‘hand in glove’ to increase the visibility of exciting careers on the Coast.
“Poor transport connectivity, reducing the stigma of vocational training, and a review of compliance obligations are other areas of focus.
“We expect the outcomes of the Skills Taskforce will help prioritise the right programmes for the Central Coast and even set a benchmark for other regions.”
Source:
Media release, Feb 13
NSW Business Chamber, Central Coast, Regional Director, Paula Martin