BETTER CONNECTIONS – BETTER OUTCOMES: BETTER CONNECTIONS – BETTER OUTCOMES IMPROVING LABOUR MARKET EFFECTIVENESS WITH A FOCUS ON MUSLIM JOB SEEKERS Canterbury-Bankstown 19 April 2006 A WORKSHOP FUNDED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF IMMIGRATION AND MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS.


Agenda: Agenda 9.00am: Arrival and registrations 9.30am: Welcome and Introductions Margaret Kidd, DEWR; Mr Ali Roude, Islamic Council of NSW 9.40am: Better Connections presentation 10.30am: Guest speaker – Mr Mouhamad Mouhanna 10.45am: Morning Tea 11.00am Identification and discussion of issues 11.30am: Developing an action plan 12.45pm: Drawing it together 1.00pm: Close and light lunch


Mr Ali RoudeIslamic Council of NSW: Mr Ali Roude Islamic Council of NSW


Objective of this workshop: Objective of this workshop Improve Labour Market Effectiveness by addressing labour supply and skill shortage issues increasing labour market participation of Muslim job seekers improving employment services and linkages between services establishing and further developing linkages between organisations


Canterbury-Bankstown Labour Market Background: Canterbury-Bankstown Labour Market Background Canterbury-Bankstown map Labour market profile Industry composition


Canterbury-Bankstown Region: Canterbury-Bankstown Region


Canterbury-Bankstown Labour Force Region - Profile: Canterbury-Bankstown Labour Force Region - Profile Working Age Population (15-64): 213,500 Unemployment: 5.4% vs. 5.8% for NSW Participation Rate: 58.7% vs. 63.0% for NSW Diversity : 47.9% of the population were born overseas (compared with 30.2% for the state) 7.6% of the population were born in Lebanon Source : ABS Labour Force Survey February 2006, Small Area Labour Markets December 2005, Census 2001


Canterbury-Bankstown Skills in Demand Survey: Canterbury-Bankstown Skills in Demand Survey 58% of recruiting employers had difficulty filling vacancies in the past 12 months. 5% of vacancies remained unfilled. Recruitment difficulties were most common in the Health and Community Services and Construction industries. Finding people with the necessary skills was the most common reason that employers said that recruitment was difficult 54% of employers found an applicant unsuitable due to their poor attitude or work ethic. Source: DEWR, Canterbury-Bankstown ESA Skills in Demand Survey, March 2006


Slide10: Source: DEWR Taree Skill Shortage Survey Source: DEWR, Canterbury-Bankstown ESA Skills in Demand Survey, March 2006


Occupations with reported recruitment difficulties: Occupations with reported recruitment difficulties Trades Cabinetmakers Panel beaters & Vehicle Painters Sheetmetal Tradespersons Metal Fitters and Machinists Structural Steel and Welding Electricians Screen Printers Clothing Tradespersons Motor Mechanics Cooks Floor Finishers Professionals Registered Nurses Civil Engineers Pre-primary school teachers Source: DEWR, Canterbury-Bankstown ESA Skills in Demand Survey, March 2006 Labourers and Transport Workers Construction Assistants Cleaners Freight Handlers Truck drivers Storepersons Clerical, Sales and Service Workers Children’s Care Workers Sales Assistants General Clerks/Receptionists Sales Representatives Education Aides Waiters Shop Supervisors


Slide12: Source: DEWR, Canterbury-Bankstown ESA Skills in Demand Survey, March 2006


Slide13: Source: DEWR, Canterbury-Bankstown ESA Skills in Demand Survey, March 2006


Recruitment Expectations: Recruitment Expectations 51% of businesses surveyed expect to recruit in the next 12 months Evidence suggests increased recruitment activity in the Accommodation, Cafes and Restaurants industry 29% of employers expect recruitment to be more difficult than last year. Source: DEWR, Canterbury-Bankstown ESA Skills in Demand Survey, March 2006


Summary: Summary Low number of unfilled vacancies and a low unemployment rate. High number of people on Parenting Payment Partnered Allowance. High number of applicants but many unsuitable due to insufficient experience and training. Recruitment difficulties were most common for businesses in the Health and Community Services and Construction industries. Employment opportunities for many middle to lower skilled job seekers who do work experience or a short training course.


Upcoming activities and those already established and underway: Upcoming activities and those already established and underway Expansion of Roselands shopping centre $60 million expansion to Centro Bankstown Residential construction projects in Bankstown & Villawood. Economic growth from Bankstown Airport masterplan. Nearby developments include: Expansion of Kurnell refinery being considered and expansion of Port Botany $100m medical centre in Hurstville Development of the Amcor site in Hurstville Business park in Botany provides centre for employment.


Guest SpeakerMouhamad Mouhanna : Guest Speaker Mouhamad Mouhanna Improved participation in apprenticeships and traineeships by young people and employers of Arabic speaking background


Slide22: Employers Young People Apprenticeships – particularly in trades Parents Service providers others? Possible issues for consideration


Developing a local action plan: Developing a local action plan Focus on practical actions for each issue being addressed Identify stakeholders and linkages


Evaluation strategy: Evaluation strategy Workshop evaluation to be filled out today Follow up survey of participants to assess specific actions/strategies undertaken Longer term data analysis to assess measurable items and analysis of qualitative information relating directly to each workshop


Finish: Finish Thank you