Bid to identify ‘jobs of future’

A Geelong jobs profile will attempt to indentify where the region’s next swag of jobs will come from.
Gordon Institute of TAFE research manager Greg Leahy said Geelong Regional Labour Market Profile would identify new job opportunities and the training they required.
“The profile is needed so informed decisions can be made about the jobs vision and the education and training needed to deliver it,” Mr Leahy said.
Centre for Sustainable Organisations and Work at RMIT University will undertake the study.
Mr Leahy said it would provide an important foundation for the regional jobs vision and an action plan being developed through a three-year State Government-funded Skilling the Bay project.
The study would draw on 2011 Census data and consultations with a range of organisations and participants including industry associations, employers, employees, unions, training providers and local government representatives, he said.
The study team leader, RMIT’s Professor Peter Fairbrother, said Geelong faced new challenges as local industries restructured and the regional economy transformed.
“Regional jobs and associated skills in Geelong’s traditional manufacturing-base face dramatic changes,” Prof Fairbrother said.
“At the same time, new opportunities are emerging in health and social services, education and retail.”
Prof Fairbrother said the study would identify industry skill needs and how workers make decisions about future job and training opportunities.
“It will help understand Geelong’s changing labour market and future job opportunities. It will suggest how training providers can best meet the needs of local employers and workers.”
Prof Fairbrother said a detailed statistically-based analysis of the region’s labour market confirmed suspected trends such as the decline of jobs in the manufacturing sector and growth of jobs in health care and social assistance.
“The question is how can we better understand the current skills and future aspirations of workers and staff in the Geelong area. What do workers and staff think about the changes occurring and how will they be affected by them?”
Prof Fairbrother said workers and businesses interested in participating in the study should phone him on 9925 1505, email Peter.Fairbrother@rmit.edu.au or phone Dr Darryn Snell on 9925 1426 or email Darryn.Snell@rmit.edu.au.