Skills Shortage Survey to help region better plan for the future

Understanding the skills needs of employers and other issues they encounter when trying to find workers is vital to the prosperity of the region but, until now, quantitative data has been lacking. 

To better understand these issues, Regional Development Australia (RDA) Riverina in partnership with Charles Sturt University is this week embarking on research to identify skills shortages in the Riverina.

As RDA Riverina CEO and Director of Regional Development Rachel Whiting explains, a skills shortage happens when demand for workers with particular skills or training outstrips the supply of qualified workers available to fill those job vacancies.

“RDA Riverina and Charles Sturt have put together a survey to collect crucial data into skills shortages in the Riverina and we are inviting business owners and recruitment managers across the region to complete the survey.

“This research will provide much needed data into the current and future skills shortages in our region and will help educational institutions, businesses, organisations and government plan for our region’s future, so it’s important that businesses complete this survey so we get a robust data set.”

For the purposes of this research, the Riverina is the region represented by RDA Riverina and includes the following local government areas: Bland Shire Council, Carrathool Shire Council, Coolamon Shire Council, Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council, Griffith City Council, Hay Shire Council, Junee Shire Council, Leeton Shire Council, Lockhart Shire Council, Murrumbidgee Council, Narrandera Shire Council, Snowy Valleys Council, Temora Shire Council and Wagga Wagga City Council.

Initiated by RDA Riverina, this research is co-funded by RDA Riverina and Charles Sturt University through the AgriPark Seed Fund. The survey is open until Friday April 3rd.