Skill Shortages and Labour Solutions was the theme of the recent General Meeting of the Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) in NSW Parliament House and while recruitment challenges continue to impede economic development and housing projects in rural, remote and regional NSW, CMA members were encouraged by some impactful programs and genuine commitment to make a difference, according to Chairman, Mayor Rick Firman OAM, of Temora Shire Council.
“It was encouraging to hear our NSW Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, the Hon. Steve Whan MP advise us that 120,000 students have been connected with employers through Smart and Skilled. Though NSW Shadow Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Mr. Justin Clancy MP said that NSW apprentice numbers are at their lowest since 2020, with only about half of our apprentices completing their training and attaining a qualification,” he said.
“Minister Whan said that Fee-free apprenticeship funding has been continued. ensuring that cost is no barrier to vocational training in NSW. This was great to hear but the issue is clearly more complex than course fees,” Mayor Firman said.
Jobs and Skills Australia analysis has shown that regional NSW skilled labour shortages have shifted from extreme, broad cross-sector gaps to more targeted deficits in the past 12 months. While overall post-pandemic shortage peaks have eased somewhat, labour market gaps remain highly concentrated in the care economy, construction, and trades. In rural, remote and regional NSW, the Local Council can often be one of the largest single employers in a community. They struggle to recruit and retain quality staff but they strive to be employers of choice and providing upskilling career pathways. One CMA member boasts a General Manager who began in that Council as an administration trainee. More such positives will emerge from the sector thanks to the NSW Government $252mil. initiative ‘A Fresh Start for Local Government – Apprentices, Trainees and Cadets Program’.
Deputy Secretary, Office of Local Government Mr. Brett Whitworth PSM told the recent CMA meeting that 132 Councils, county councils, JO’s and ROC’s have successfully applied for grant funding for new recruits.
“We’ve seen 1,138 New apprentices, trainees and cadets employed in councils around the State, with 65% of those being in rural and regional Councils (that’s 734 new employees) and three-quarters of those are aged 25 and under and 15% are Aboriginal.”
Mayor Firman has commended the NSW Government for The Welcome Experience; a free service supporting essential workers and their families who are thinking about moving, or have moved, to regional NSW
to settle in and become one of the locals. “This program is a real winner for rural, remote and regional NSW!”
Craig Jenkins, the Acting Executive Director, Regional Economic Delivery, DPIRD told the CMA that the upcoming new financial year will see the program expanded to cover the whole of non-metropolitan NSW, with Local Connectors sub-contracted across the State to support newcomers directly with challenges such as finding accommodation, schools or even spouse employment.
“Between July 2023 to April 2026, 3,412 essential workers have moved to rural, remote and regional NSW. Including family members, we’ve helped 7,025 people to settle in country communities,” he said.
Mayor Firman said that skills and labour shortages are priority concern for the CMA Board and Members and the meeting was encouraging and constructive, with always more work to be done. “Our next priority focus will be Roads, Transport and Disaster Recovery. Our 2026 regional meeting will be hosted by Ballina Shire Council at the start of July.”