Business leaders are being called upon to help tackle the region’s youth unemployment epidemic.
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On Tuesday, the NSW Business Chamber is hosting a forum for New England businesses which is designed to help address the regions skills shortage, increase productivity, reduce youth unemployment, and help young people make a smooth transition into the workplace.
NSW Business Chamber regional manager Joe Townsend said the New England region had the seventh highest youth unemployment rate in the state at 14.3 per cent, but was also plagued by a skills shortage.
“In fact, 30.8 per cent of local businesses reported serious difficulty accessing skilled staff this quarter,” he said.
“As a region, if we can help navigate young people into the right career we could lower youth unemployment, while simultaneously reducing the skills shortage and reducing the cost of churn associated with poor job retention.”
He called on business leaders to come together to make “our economy a better, more productive, and competitive one”.
“Central to this is helping our youth,” he said.
“Youth unemployment is not only a burden on welfare and health systems, but also, local business.
“Limiting local expenditure and preventing us from having suitably skilled staff ready to face the challenges of the future labour market.
“Skillsroad Show has the ball rolling on bridging the gap between school and the workplace. However, business leaders need to also help pick up this slack – join the discussion, see what we can do to create a successful and agile workforce.”
The Tamworth YOUth Employer Forum will be held at the Quality Hotel Powerhouse on Tuseday, August 15, from 6pm to 7pm.
There will be free food and drink in the half an hour before and after the presentation.