#OurTamworth campaign
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People would be willing to move Tamworth for a job in health, education or a trade, according to a survey by The Leader.
More than 640 people responded to the survey, with 85 per cent saying they would move to Tamworth for a job, however for 38 per cent it depended on what the job was.
Health was among the most sought after careers in Tamworth (20 per cent), followed by a trade (14 per cent) and retail (12 per cent).
Other popular sectors included education and administration.
Media, law, government, finance and community services were also common answers.
Despite being a backbone of the local economy, only six per cent of people said they would move to Tamworth for a job in agriculture.
The results come as several businesses reveal they have advertised positions for skilled jobs, both locally and across the state, but were yet to receive a single resume.
Many have put the problem down to skilled workers leaving the city because of a lack of education or career options, and Tamworth struggling to sell itself as a desirable location.
The Leader asked what Tamworth needed to do to attract more people to the city – 20 per cent of respondents said more recreation options, while 19 per cent said more tertiary education options.
Despite the recent community push for an aquatic centre, only two per cent of people said Tamworth needed better sporting facilities to attract more people.
A number of people said the city needed to decrease its crime rate, despite the recent data from the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research showing a downward turn in most major crimes.
Tamworth Regional Council mayor Col Murray said the fact that 85 per cent of people were willing to move to Tamworth for a job was a big endorsement of the city.
He said regional cities faced two options – rising populations or declining populations.
“One thing I've always focused on is trying to have the first option,” Cr Murray said.
“Every time a demographer talks about population, they say once it gets into decline, historically there have been very few cities that have been able to reverse that trend.
One thing I've always focused on is trying to have [a rising population].
- Tamworth Regional Council mayor Col Murray
“Career and jobs are the number one factors in a decision to move inland, or anywhere.”
Council was aware of the lack of tertiary education options, Cr Murray said, and was actively working to address the issue.
In December last year, council signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Newcastle, which will investigate a raft of tertiary possibilities and assess Tamworth’s education needs.
Cr Murray said a university presence was a must-have on the resume of most regional cities.
“In Tamworth’s employment circle, there are a range of employment statistics, but when it comes to those highly-technical, highly-educated and highly-paid jobs we are very soft,” Cr Murray said.
“We are focusing on what we need to do to engage those type of jobs.”