Regional Development Australia (RDA) Orana is winding up a skills survey that will inform the state and federal governments on labour and training issues in the region.
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Executive officer Megan Dixon is reminding employers that they must respond to the survey by Friday.
Last Friday about 150 had been counted with Ms Dixon pleased with the “strong response rate”. “The survey is going really well,” she said. “We have had 150 responses and our goal is 220.”
The executive officer said regional employers were being asked about their current and future innovation plans, training, labour and skills requirements as part of the Unravelling the Skills of the Future for the Orana Region project.
She said a profile of each local government area in the region would be developed, featuring major employers and training providers. “Information will then be used to inform and shape projects and policies that support regional economic growth into the future,” Ms Dixon said.
Data being gathered relates to industry, service provision, workforce and training challenges. “The aim of the project is to examine the various aspects of business and trading in the Orana region,” Ms Dixon said.
“The 2017 survey will enable us to update and expand on previous research with current information, thereby allowing us to re-evaluate strategies and overcome any issues that exist.”
This includes workforce demands, impediments to business, present and future skills shortages, recruitment and retention, exports and innovations, and training and growth.
“We need to assess barriers, address labour issues and look at the skills of business owners,” Mrs Dixon said.
The executive officer said projected outcomes would be used to develop and present policy responses to state and federal governments on labour and training issues.
“We are gauging the types of businesses that exist and industry numbers along with how they operate and what they contribute to the economy before giving that information to government with a view to better services in terms of employment, development and technology,” Ms Dixon said.
Participants who fully complete the survey receive $30 or the opportunity to donate to Macquarie Home Stay. For more information about the study or to participate, contact RDA Orana on 6885 1488.
