Regional manager Vicki Seccombe has spoken of the regions’ need of  Australia’s skills migration program following the release of research showing its benefits.

She has also called for a greater effort to train more than 300,000 unemployed young Australians.

The research by the federal Treasury and Department of Home Affairs included International Monetary Fund advice that the current program would add between 0.5 and one per cent to annual average growth in GDP (Gross Domestic Product) between 2020 and 2050, and help combat a slowing economy from Australia’s ageing population.

Ms Seccombe said the Western NSW Business Chamber regarded skilled migration as “essential to our business sector” which despite best efforts was struggling to recruit skilled personnel.

“Across Western NSW, businesses are struggling to fill key positions, and while there can be no doubt that we need to do more to train a greater number of our young people, Australia’s skilled migration program provides essential support that has kept many businesses afloat,” she said.

Ms Seccombe said businesses and the hospitality, construction and agriculture industries in the Central West and western regions relied heavily on skilled migrants.

Uncertainty around programs and the changing of caps and regulatory arrangements had hurt businesses and caused confusion, she said.

“In view of severe skill shortages, we must do more to train the more than 300,000 unemployed young Australians, while at the same time maintain a strong skilled immigration program that provides support for specific sectors and our regions,” she said.

The NSW Business Chamber’s 2017 Workforce Skills Survey found that more than 50 per cent of employers were experiencing skills shortages, with 85 per cent of respondents expressing concerns about the potential impact of skill shortages on their businesses.

“Skilled migration is not only important to counter-balance our ageing population, but it is essential in addressing current challenges in our economy,” Ms Seccombe said.