The disconnect between a skilled workforce and jobs was highlighted as a major hurdle in the Shoalhaven at a public forum on Tuesday.
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Labor spokesperson for Gilmore Fiona Phillips was joined by shadow minister for employment and workplace relations Brendan O’Connor and shadow minister for regional services, Stephen Jones to discuss ways to stimulate the local economy.
“We need to anticipate the areas of emerging demand,” Mr O’Connor said.
“There is very little anticipation by schools, vocational training providers and higher education to equip future workers in areas of demand.
“We have people graduating in areas with shrinking employment, there’s a mismatch if you like and if we don’t get that right we’re going to have problems.”
We have people graduating in areas with shrinking employment, there’s a mismatch if you like and if we don’t get that right we’re going to have problems.
- MP Brendan O'Connor
Mr O’Connor spoke of capitalising on the Shoalhaven’s strengths.
“Local economies are distinct creatures, they have peculiar challenges and strengths and you have to work to those strengths,” he said.
“It’s a beautiful area, it’s no wonder people come and stay, there is a lot of capacity for domestic and overseas tourism.
“It’s also a commuter city, over time if we can increase transport speed between here and Sydney. At the moment it must be a struggle for people.”
Mr O’Connor also spoke of the need to fix broadband in regional Australia.
“We will see more opportunities for people if we trash the copper idea and get a proper broadband system in place for this country,” he said.