One of the four pillars in the Regional Investment Framework (RIF) is Investing in People. Within the definitions provided by the RIF the education, availability and accessibility of people is captured. This project will be one of the 2023-2024 lead projects to assist RDAMNC and our stakeholders understand the labour market features properly. RDAMNC has commissioned the Regional Australia Institute to understand the real figures associated with labour participation in the Mid North Coast.
The participation rate for the Mid North Coast is the worst in NSW. In May 2023 it was 47.1%. The rest of NSW was 66%. This is an indication of a structural difference in the MNC labour market that needs to be investigated. This project will enable us to do the following:
- Compare the participation rates of the Mid North Coast LGAs with regional NSW, the whole State and Australia, and
- Analyse the participation rates of different demographic groups in the region, to identify specific participation challenges.
RAI completed their report into the labour force participation in December 2023. A copy of the report can be viewed here.
For further information on how we are continuing to Invest in People, MNC Skills and Labour, please visit our project Mid North Coast Skills Audit.