With growing demand for skilled workers in the Illawarra region, RDA Illawarra has invested in a two-year research program to deliver timely skills demand data at a local level.
RDA has already completed in-depth interviews with ten key industry bodies and regional employers, who have made the following key points:
- There is an opportunity for more engagement with TAFE and UOW
- Workers moving into the region have high salary expectations
- There is a lack of affordable or available housing
- Illawarra labour market conditions are closely aligned to the Sydney market
- Lack of labour is creating constraints on major project delivery
- Heavy industry trades require specialised experience - importing trades from light manufacturing is not a ready-made solution
- The Illawarra lifestyle is a key attraction.
RDA Illawarra is currently running an extensive detailed survey of local employers by phone and online - so have your say about the skills and occupations that are required for your business.