Recent newspaper articles highlight the degree of impact that the skill and labour shortages are having in Tasmania (not surprisingly).
What strikes me is that many industry bodies are all kicking and screaming about the skill and labour shortages (and rightly so) and there are a few people or representative bodies that offer advice or bandaid solutions, yet no strategic effort to work together to address the issues is evident. It would appear that there is great opportunity (and demand) for greater collaborative efforts between industry peak bodies, government (at all levels) and other stakeholders.
This week the AMA says the Launceston General Hospital is imploding due to staff shortages, and those that are left are 'voting with their feet' and leaving due to burnout.
The new MBA head said he was concerned about the ageing demographic of the industry and that he would need 220 apprentices per year to be recruited to maintain the existing workforce (let along grow it).
Tasmanian fruit growers are enthusiastically welcoming the possibility of Pacific Islander workers to assist with fruitpicking during the harvest season but are concerned about a lack of public transport and worker accommodation. However, the industry also acknowledges the competition for labour during this period as it coincides with the peak tourism season which has a high demand for retail and hospitality casual labour.
International students lament the inability to secure employment in Tasmania once they have completed their degrees. A spokesman for UTAS said that "students chose to enrol in university courses for the degree only. We don't guarantee or provide opportunities for work or residency after graduation".
The TCCI suggests that a solution to overcoming the cultural integration issues for international students is to encourage participation in work based apprenticeships and traineeships.
These are but examples of what is going on in Tasmania, but who is leading the way???
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4 comments:
Lisa - I echo those sentiments. Daily my mind turns over those exact questions. I fear everyone is so caught up in their own job description that they just can't see the forest for the trees. Otherwise why WOULDN'T those questions have been addressed years ago, when we all realised this wasn't a problem that was transient?
Even though I'm currently on annual leave, I had a few meetings in Melbourne to attend over the last 2 days regarding skills shortage-related issues. On the mainland, they are light years ahead of us in addressing this. Industry and employers are now actively working hand-in-hand with schools to ensure an upcoming generation of workers for their industry. Projects are being carried out as we speak to bring back older workers in a mentoring, and part time worker role to the workforce. Businesses are calling colleges direct and creating their own linkages to ensure their future workforce needs. Primary school principals are participating in career activities as the realisation slowly sinks in that it's too late if you're providing career advice to students in Year 10, or 11 or 12.
The AHA is looking to semi-retired and retired older generation people for staffing.
Many initiatives are being trialled, but at least that's a start. In Tassie, we've not yet hit that wall where we realise it's not going to get better.
I'll be surprised if I see it in my lifetime, but will be overjoyed to apologise to the business community of Hobart if I'm wrong!
Helen
Hi Helen
I hope we see it in your lifetime! I think what Tasmania is not doing well is the collaborative thing, because I do believe some individual organisations are actively engaging in new strategies and with schools, particularly in the north west of the state. There are no doubt others, but because they are doing it in isolation, we just don't hear about it.
Cheers, Lisa
PS hope you had a wonderful time away!
Yes, I agree we don't collaborate so well. I try as hard as I can to keep the lines of communication open regarding keeping up with what others are doing here, but it's a tough gig! When you DO find out about some of the great stuff going on round Tas, then what do you do with that info?
I pass on info to people I think may benefit from the knowledge of this info, but that's not a very strategic way of disseminating info, or ensuring sound collaboration.
Hi Rita, yes, its very frustrating. How much can one person do? I too try and share what I know and hear and see through this blog and also through the tasmanianjobs.com newsletter, InSummary. At least we are trying and doing in the way that we can.
These things need strong leadership from people who can instigate a strategic, collaborative way forward.
Look at what happened with the Tassie vegetable campaign. Eventually, when there were sufficient enough people sounding the same message, someone eventually took notice. The cynic in me could call it the squeaky wheel syndrome!
The idealist and optimist that I am, says, we will get there too, eventually.
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