Employment Strategy to Engage Territorians in Jobs Growth
17 Jan 2012
Acting Chief Minister Delia Lawrie said feedback from Industry was vital for the Territorians to get the most of out of the major projects underway.
“With a range of major projects set to transform our economy, it is crucial we are proactive in aligning workforce development with the demands of industry,” Ms Lawrie said.
“The Territory is set to emerge as a resource development and export location, creating more demand for skilled and semi-skilled workers and new business opportunities.
“We want to put Territorians in the best position to grab these jobs, and give Territory Businesses the best chance of securing the labour they need to grow and prosper.”
The previous Jobs NT Plans have been extremely successful, with the most recent JobsNT 2010-12 seeing more than 24,000 Territorians in training, more than 3000 Indigenous Territorians commencing employment and labour force participation rates leading the nation.
The Employment Strategy Discussion Starter released will inform the 2012 to 2015 Employment Strategy and focuses on 5 areas: workforce planning and development, skilling the workforce, Indigenous employment participation, migration, and business and industry support.
The past two years have seen 3000 new jobs created with unemployment at record low levels, and strong economic and employment growth is tipped to continue, with Access Economics tipping the Territory economy to be the third quickest growing in Australia over the next 5 years.
“There is expected to be significant competition for workers nationally due to the numerous major resource projects underway or planned to commence, and we want to keep our workers at home, building the Territory,” Ms Lawrie said.
“The Employment Strategy aims to ensure the Territory is ready to meet the upcoming challenges and the Discussion Starter is the first step.”
The Employment Strategy Discussion Starter document is available online from www.nt.gov.au/dbeand consultation forums will be held in all major centres commencing in February.