Transforming Peel’s workforce: Opportunities for Job Seekers :::
Did you know that by 2050, approximately 65% of employment will be in jobs that do not exist today? Technology developments and economic shifts are altering the profile of future jobs. Transform Peel aims to generate 33,100 local jobs by 2050 and an annual economic output of $16 billion. This means that the Peel region needs to think about the skills that jobseekers will need to have to be prepared for the new range of jobs, and start preparing now.
A recent workforce study for Transform Peel highlights that a wide range of employment skills will be required. The Peel Development Commission with other key partners in the Peel Workforce Development Alliance recognised the need to identify the likely skills profiles, job pathways, and education, training and business support requirements for prospective employment generation through Transform Peel. This was particularly in relation to food and agriculture industries, which are a major focus for Transform Peel. The study, recently completed by SDF Global Pty Ltd, involved discussion with 156 representatives of industry, schools, universities and local employment organisations. It also included a study of the most recent employment trends and opportunities. A big thank you to everyone who contributed to the analysis.
The study found that to be ready for Transform Peel, there will need to be a new focus for Peel in terms of work readiness. The Transform Peel workforce will need to be more multi-skilled e.g. an electrician as well as a drone operator, a plumber that can also do water quality testing, or a farm hand that can also analyse monitoring data. The new workforce will need to be ready to continuously respond to a rapidly changing context. This means they will need to have a willingness to learn and constantly adapt their skills and knowledge. This will require an improved approach in terms of work ethic, attitudes, willingness to learn and communication, as well as good basic skills and understanding in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) and information communication technology (ICT). The focus on food in Transform Peel will attract jobseekers with awareness of food hygiene and quality, occupational health and safety as well as a continuing need for administrative and customer service skills.
Moving forward: Recommendations for workforce development
The findings on the workforce and skills needs identified seven pathways that the Peel needs to consider to ensure that Transform Peel jobs can be taken up by local people. These are:
- Promote Transform Peel, positive branding and ongoing promotion of potential employment opportunities, particularly to young people and with positive promotion of new food and agriculture approaches
- Encourage work adaptation including credentialing and up-skilling to encourage multi-skilling within the region’s workforce
- Transform school based work readiness to target key characteristics, attitudes and core competencies required by local employers engaged with Transform Peel. This will require a stronger relationship between schools and local businesses
- Motivate business investment in local skills development, which includes supporting entry level employees with potential for adaptability to re-skill or up-skill
- Stimulate Peel entrepreneurship, particularly focusing on supporting new start-up businesses and small to medium enterprises relevant to Transform Peel
- Matching and mentoring for real work requirements, to ensure good connections between employers, prospective employees and the education, training and employment support sectors
- Future infrastructure requirements Any new infrastructure should aim for multi-use between education and training bodies and businesses associated with Transform Peel
Workforce development calls for collaboration and partnership
Strong leadership and champions as well as ongoing key stakeholder partnerships will be critical for the progress of the Transform Peel initiative and to meet its workforce requirements. There are already many initiatives related to workforce development within the Peel that are working well and will need to be expanded and strengthened to meet the workforce needs of the future. The recommendations and actions will be lead by the Peel Workforce Development Alliance and the Commission.
How can I find out more?
Please visit our website and register your interest in participating in future Transform Peel activities and events. If you enjoy social media why not ‘like’ us on Facebook or ‘follow’ us on Twitter, the links are on our websites.
Linda & David
Transform Peel Program Management Office