on occupations , qualifications , field of qualification .
• Priority industries : Data at industry level can provide clear direction on where potential issues may exist . Dive into subsectors and look at change over time for all key local sectors .
• Temporary workers : Tracking the number of temporary workers in a specific industry can help identify a shortage of permanent workers .
• Job vacancy rates : Examining job vacancy rates can provide more upto-date than annual sources . Industry associations and trade groups can sometimes provide this information .
• Wages and working conditions : Tracking wages and working conditions in specific industries can help identify labour shortage issues related to the competitiveness of salaries and benefits . Understanding your comparative advantages and disadvantages can identify blockers to growth .
• Housing : Look at the availability of all types of dwellings . Consider number of bedrooms , density , proximity to amenities and cost relative to wages . Figures on Unoccupied Dwellings can be a great indicator of supply and cost pressures .
• Jobs and occupation forecasting : Source jobs and occupation forecasts to understand how your economy is likely to perform in the future . Identify the gaps between forecasts and reaching your strategies and plans .
WHAT CAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONALS CAN DO TO IMPACT LABOUR SUPPLY THROUGH MIGRATION AWARENESS ? Once you are armed with this knowledge there are a few ways it can be used to inform economic development activity .
• Create a skills strategy : Include migrant data when assessing the skills and qualifications in the region and how it is changing . Economic development can facilitate education and training programs policies move towards filling specific skill gaps and shortages in the labour market .
• Improve migration pathways : Economic development policies can provide information and support for arrival pathways . Helping migrants navigate the visa process and access pathways to permanent residency or citizenship , can increase flow of overseas arrivals . Helping families settle , find services and amenities , enrol in schools or employment , and all sorts of other novel approaches , will make your place more attractive to internal migration .
• Promote regional development : Policies that promote regional development , such as investment in infrastructure and services , can help to improve the amenity and desirability of a place . If people can undertake recreation , and other household activities , including easy transport connections , it improves the desirability of a place .
• Facilitate Access to Desirable Housing : Access to suitable housing is one of the most crucial decision-making factors for households that are considering a move . By working closely with the council and developers , you can better inform them about matching housing supply and demand to attract to potential arrivals .
• Support business development and entrepreneurship : By working with local businesses and providing them with information about the needs and preferences of different migrant groups , Economic Development workers can help them to identify opportunities to cater to this demographic . In addition , Economic Development workers can focus on supporting migrant entrepreneurs by providing access to training , mentorship , and funding opportunities . This can help to encourage the creation of new businesses and startups that cater specifically to the needs of the migrant population , thereby creating jobs and driving economic growth .
• Foster external partnerships – partnering with external providers such as education , training and community organisations can address skills gaps , labour shortages , and facilitate integration of migrants into the workforce and community . It can also help align local activities with National programs that are industry specific and can help ensure that these strategies are targeted and aligned with economic and regional development goals .
• Explore innovative recruitment strategies – Examples such as targeting international recruitment and virtual job fairs have been successful in filling labour shortages in specific industries and regions . Further to this , policies such as the Designated Area Migration Agreement program have worked to address the same issue through the support of employer sponsorship .
• Promote diversity and inclusion : Policies that promote diversity and inclusion can help to attract and retain migrants , who may bring new ideas and perspectives to the workforce . This may be targeted to specific migration-related challenges such as the need for language and cultural support or assistance for new households to engage with the local community .
CONCLUSION Migration , both from overseas and within Australia , is a complex phenomenon that impacts labour supply in various ways . As economic development practitioners it is crucial to develop an understanding of local migration to promote economic growth and address labour supply issues .
Local authorities have a range of tools and resources at their disposal to address labour force issues by attracting people to their area . This includes land-use policies , zoning regulations , and permitting processes that support economic growth . Adequate service and infrastructure provision are also essential , as is promoting the availability of suitable housing options for migrants .
By identifying opportunities and proactively taking action based on verifiable evidence , economic development practitioners can help to address labour force challenges , support economic growth , and build a more prosperous and resilient community .
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
RYAN JAMES Ryan James is a Client Consultant for . id – Informed Decisions . He is an accredited ACEcD practitioner who works with Economic Development teams all over Australia helping them use evidence and data to build sustainable local economies , support local businesses , and advocate for Economic Development within the Local Government sector .
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT JOURNAL VOL 16 NO 1 2023 13