A new program being launched in partnership between Singleton Council and Business Singleton will support the growth of core local industries by creating a connected network of businesses to work together on workforce development, building business capacity and industry stability.
The Industry and Workforce Development Program is the latest in Council’s suite of economic development programs funded by NSW Government’s Resources for Regions Round Eight.
Delivered in collaboration with regional partners and industry stakeholders, the Industry and Workforce Development program will engage local industry in future-focused roundtable discussions to identify and prioritise strategies to address barriers to growth and harness opportunities for the future.
The first roundtable will take place on 3 May from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at Singleton Civic Centre with a focus on the construction industry.
All construction business stakeholders are invited to attend, including heavy civil to trades, domestic and commercial builders.
Singleton Council’s Director Organisation and Community Capacity, Vicki Brereton said the core industries for this specific program were selected based on their strategic importance to the continued evolution of Singleton’s economy.
“The Industry and Workforce Development program will focus on construction, manufacturing, agriculture, retail and hospitality, health and social services and mining services initially, acknowledging that other industries such as tourism already have strong networks in place to support industry development,” Vicki said.
“We’re inviting leaders from these industries to share their perspectives individually and as part of a few roundtable discussions which will be facilitated by Jacinta Outlaw, a Business Australia business advisor and founder of digital transformation agency the Fifth Element.
“One of the main objectives of the program will be to anticipate future employment skills requirements, so we can ensure our labour force is ready to meet future demand and we can retain jobs in Singleton as our economy evolves.”
President of Business Singleton, Danny Eather said no one understood the challenges of an evolving economy better than local businesses.
“We want to hear first-hand what our industries are currently experiencing and what they’d like us to champion locally and regionally,” Danny said.
“We are also keen to harness their vision for their industry’s future, both at a local level and from a viewpoint of linking into future regional trends.”
IMAGE | Singleton Council’s Senior Economic Development Specialist, Karen Varker, Laura Kelly Business Singleton, Chris Sheppard NBN, Jacinta Outlaw Fifth Element, Wayne Diemar Business Centre and Member for Upper Hunter Dave Layzell MP at a Business Singleton event.
