Southern Loddon Mallee Regional Strategic Plan 1 - Macedon ...

Workforce development
Working Victoria, the Victorian Government’s Workforce
Participation Strategy, identifies that workforce development is an
important tool to support improved industry performance and
improved skills, training and employment outcomes for workers.
A key action of this Plan is to provide training and skills recognition
for the farming and other related communities to assist transition
from agriculture to alternative employment, increase workforce
skills and reduce skills gaps in our region.
Workforce skill gaps in key economic growth areas including
construction, education, transport and logistics and health,
suggest that we must better integrate school and post-secondary
education with regional economic development. On-going
training is also required to ensure workers’ skills continue to meet
the changing needs of industry and that they can participate in
any emerging industry opportunities.
Skilled workers may also need to be attracted to the region from
elsewhere in Australia or internationally. Workforce planning is also
required to provide continuity of employment across our many
seasonal industries.
Priority actions:
5.1
32 Southern Loddon Mallee Regional Strategic Plan
STRaTegIC DIReCTION 5
Improving education participation and outcomes
School completion rates right across our region fall well short
of levels for regional Victoria and metropolitan areas. This limits
employment opportunities and contributes to on-going socioeconomic
disadvantage reported in parts of our region.
Many of our region’s young people pursue post-secondary
education in metropolitan campuses. The cost of away-from-home
living, perceived limited professional employment opportunities
and decisions not to return after post-secondary education
contribute to the region having a relatively low level of postsecondary
qualification (30%, compared with the Victorian average
of 44%).
We aim to meet and exceed the Victorian higher education targets
of 40% of all people aged 24-35 have attained a bachelor degree or
equivalent by 2025 and 20% of higher education enrolments to be
students from low socio economic backgrounds by 2020.
Increased investment is needed to provide a strengthened
presence of the tertiary education sector which closely responds
to our region’s skills shortages. Achieving higher school completion
rates and encouraging increased participation in post-secondary
education or vocational training are critical to increasing workforce
participation and improving standards of living, particularly for
disadvantaged groups. It is also essential if the region is to address
its skills shortages and take advantage of economic development
opportunities.
Increase tertiary education participation in the region and grow the region’s skilled workforce by increasing provision of
student accommodation in Bendigo, and expanding university teaching, cultural and recreational facilities and services.
Key initiatives:
5.2 Provide student accommodation for secondary and post secondary students in Bendigo to support increased enrolments. 3
5.3
Increase early education participation through programs such as the roll out of the Early Childhood Education
National Partnership Program.
3
5.4
Support regional Universities campuses, BRiT and other training provider expansion plans and support initiatives
to encourage greater provision of, and participation in, higher education.
3
5.5
Increase co-operation and links between regional universities, TAFE colleges and other training providers to build
a more skilled and adaptable workforce.
Explore opportunities to leverage the Victorian Aboriginal Economic Development Agenda to develop and
3
5.6 implement an appropriate model to integrate the learnings of local level and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
education professionals which may include the establishment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learning hubs.
3
5.7
Expand the Rural Skills Cadetship Program and explore new initiatives to attract young adults and young families
to settle in the region and work.
3
5.8 Undertake collaborative initiatives to grow the regions international student presence. 3
5.9 Implement relevant elements of the Blueprint for Education and Early Childhood Development. 3
5.10
5.11
5.12
Improve and develop VET and VCAL program opportunities with a focus on engaging young people not in
mainstream education or training.
Link to Victorian Aboriginal Economic Development Agenda and Kareeta Yirramboi (the Victorian Aboriginal
public sector employment and career development action plan 2010-2015) to ensure a coordinated approach to
regional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment to increase public and private sector employment of
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Support the implementation of the Victorian Aboriginal Economic Development Agenda recommendations
which aim to increase the retention of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and strengthen pathways
from schools to employment and further study at university and TAFE.
Horizon (years)
1-5 >5
3
Horizon (years)
1-5 >5
3
3
3