Upper Spencer Gulf Mayors: Mayor Leon Stephens of Port Pirie, Mayor Linley Shine of Port Augusta and Mayor Phill Stone of Whyalla.
USG to benefit from a new workforce strategy
Recently, Minister for Workforce and Population Strategy Susan Close MP released the Upper Spencer Gulf Workforce Strategy, outlining a coordinated plan to prepare the region for future workforce needs and opportunities. In response, Whyalla Mayor Phill Stone said,
"I welcome the Upper Spencer Gulf Workforce Strategy as a vital step in preparing our region for the many jobs coming our way. This strategy will help ensure our community is ready to take full advantage of opportunities in both traditional and emerging industries, while supporting local people to gain skills and training to succeed."
Please see the full media release below.
The Upper Spencer Gulf region, a significant contributor to South Australia’s economic prosperity and key to the state’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions, now has a dedicated workforce strategy.
The state’s first Upper Spencer Gulf Workforce Strategy, developed with input from industry, local communities and stakeholders, aims to ensure career opportunities from traditional and emerging industries are accessible to all.
Commitments under the strategy will support the region in meeting workforce demand associated with the peak of 4000 new jobs expected to be created to support major projects across the Upper Spencer Gulf, and 1500 longer term roles.
A key deliverable in the Strategy is the $5.9 million Spencer Gulf Jobs and Skills Hub, co-located at the Whyalla TAFE SA to connect workers in the area with these job opportunities, information, services and training.
Supporting the 55,000 people that live in the region, the Strategy brings together the Whyalla steelworks packages from the South Australian and Australian Governments and investments in education, skills and training, such as fee free TAFE, the Port Augusta Technical College and Port Augusta Regional Skills Centre, and outlines a framework to achieve strategic outcomes, including:
- Attracting, developing and retaining the skilled workers needed to meet current and projected labour demands for the long-term sustainability and success of the region
- Improving the workforce participation of disengaged and disadvantaged people
- Growing the required workforce to deliver priorities in the region to unlock the full benefits of opportunities.
To read the strategy, click here.
Quotes attributable to the Deputy Premier Dr Susan Close
The Malinauskas Government stands firmly beside the workers and communities of the Upper Spencer Gulf, a region unique in its opportunities in renewable energy, resources, steelmaking and other manufacturing industries, construction and health.
The global green transition is a transformational opportunity for our state, and particularly this region, which boasts a unique convergence of sun, wind, and significant mineral resources.
In the face of global and local challenges, the Upper Spencer Gulf Workforce Strategy is timely in its aims to attract, develop and retain a skilled workforce, improve workforce participation of disengaged and disadvantaged people, and build a workforce to deliver on immediate priorities.