The Andrews Government’s initiative to boost jobs growth was given further impetus by a gathering of leaders, as part of a statewide forum, to discuss pathways to meaningful, long-term employment across Victoria.
Chaired by the Premier, the Victorian Jobs Partnership enlisted key personnel from industry, unions, academia and professional associations, including Engineers Australia, to explore opportunities within the manufacturing sector; address the skills gap so that workers are available locally; and encourage women into construction and engineering roles.
Engineers Australia’s Victoria Division Manager, Herve Carlos was there to add the profession’s voice to the discussion, ensuring that we continue to meet our responsibility to be at the table for every major discussion involving the social and economic wellbeing of all Victorians.
“Maximising employment outcomes in the engineering profession is critical to Victoria’s social and economic wellbeing. The Victorian Jobs Partnership is an excellent initiative, that would only benefit by a whole-of-Parliament approach”, said Mr Carlos.
The intent of the Jobs Partnership was to engage delegates in a robust discussion so as to provide government with some viable strategies that could then be formulated into job creation policies. These included:
- A more positive narrative on the jobs that currently exist across the State;
- A focus on demand, and not just supply;
- Encourage the delivery of demand-driven university and TAFE courses;
- The need to align training with the pipeline of projects already announced by government;
- A procurement process that is focussed on a return on investment; and
- The need for a workforce with the skillset to fill the jobs of the future.
Coincidentally, some of the desired outcomes listed at the forum were highlighted in Engineers Australia’s The State of the Engineering Profession 2017, where we stressed the imperative of a skilled workforce to combat the economic problems associated with an aging, and ever-increasing population.
Recent data show that while job’s growth for the year to August stands at 3.2 per cent, Victoria’s unemployment rate is the highest in the country. Forum delegates understood that this problem was not for government alone to solve. Rather, it requires resolute action from all sectors of our economy.
Later this year, the government will release its response to the intelligence gathered at the partnership forum and announce the policy reforms that will futureproof Victoria’s economic prosperity.
To keep up to date with the Victorian Jobs Partnership, visit the website.