RAI Regional Migration Network Forum in Wagga Wagga
The Right Skills in the Right Places: Building a Better Migrant Employment System for the Regions
Dr Sasha Block - Researcher from Regional Australia Institute
Aunty Mary Atkinson, welcoming the 100 attendees to Wiradjuri Lands
The Regional Migration Network Forum in Wagga Wagga was organised by the Regional Australia Institute in partnership with the Wagga Wagga City Council and Regional Development Australia Riverina, and held on 18th June 2024. NSW GROW Riverina Backbone Coordinator, Jayadev Ajayakumar, was honoured to serve on the panel, sharing his experiences and insights on the challenges and solutions to current regional skilled migration system from a migrant’s perspective. From an employer perspective, we were fortunate to have Sue Molyneaux, HR Manager from Casella Family Brands on the panel sharing the challenges faced by employers on finding employees in the Riverina.
The forum provided a crucial platform for discussing various issues, best practices, and policy recommendations related to regional migration and employment systems.
The forum delved into key topics such as:
- Ensuring the right skills come to the right places.
- Balancing the needs of regional communities, local economies, and the migration system.
- Creating employment pathways for regional residents from multicultural backgrounds.
The attendees included regional industries and employers, educational institutions, settlement services providers, and a diverse group of regional migrants including international students, temporary and permanent residents, and new Australians living in regional areas.
The discussions yielded several important takeaways:
- Migration is vital for filling vacancies and enriching the social fabric of our regions.
- A holistic approach, encompassing jobs, infrastructure, services, and community wellbeing, is crucial for supporting migration.
- Beyond economic contributions, migration significantly enhances the overall wellbeing and development of regional areas.
- Research underscores the importance of housing, childcare, welcoming programs, and settlement services in attracting and retaining migrants.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone involved in making this forum and discussions so productive. Together, we're building a brighter future for our regional communities!
NSW Grow Riverina Backbone Coordinator, Jayadev Ajayakumar, speaking at the Regional Migration Network Forum.
The Hon. Michael McCormack MP, Federal Member for Riverina and Shadow Minister for International Development and the Pacific.
RDA Riverina Board Member and Mayor of Wagga Wagga, Dallas Tout.
Welcome and introductory remarks from Anna Stephenson, Education and Regional Impact Director, Regional Australia Institute
ORGANISING COMMITEE Anna Stephenson from RAI, Sue Hanrahan from Wagga Wagga City Council, Dr Sasha Block from RAI and Rachel Whiting from RDA Riverina at the Migration Forum in Wagga Wagga