A new study commissioned by Regional Development Australia Mid North Coast (RDAMNC) and conducted by Charles Sturt University (CSU) highlights the growing labour and skills shortages in the region, posing a significant barrier to economic growth. The 2024 Skills Audit, released today, identifies several critical challenges, including labour and skills shortages, skills gaps, limited vocational training, and infrastructure issues such as housing affordability and access to early childcare education.
The audit reveals that the Mid North Coast (MNC) has a lower proportion of working-age individuals compared to the state average, making it more difficult for businesses to find the skilled workers they need. At the same time, the region is experiencing a significant outflow of skilled individuals, particularly in sectors such as healthcare, aged care, and construction. Additionally, the study underscores the region’s limited access to vocational training, forcing many workers to travel to larger cities for education.
Other key challenges highlighted in the report include the lack of affordable housing, insufficient childcare services, and inadequate infrastructure such as transport and digital connectivity, all of which hinder both workers and businesses.
The study presents several actionable recommendations to address these issues, including:
- The development of a cohesive regional housing strategy aligned with workforce planning
- Universal access to Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) to support workforce participation, particularly for women
- Strengthening the regional skills ecosystem through closer collaboration between employers, training providers, and community services
- Enhancing infrastructure to improve transport, housing, and digital connectivity across the region
View the 2024 Mid North Coast Skills Audit HERE.
View the Snapshot of the 2024 Mid North Coast Skills Audit HERE.
View the Media Release of the 2024 Mid North Coast Skills Audit HERE.