Industry leaders present practical solutions to labour shortage at Geraldton skills summit

Mid West farmers, business owners and industry leaders put their heads together to think of solutions to the region’s skills shortage this week.

Hosted by the Department of Education and Training, the Geraldton Regional Skills Summit invited guests to contribute to the development of an action plan to tackle labour shortages in the Mid West. The Geraldton event is one of 10 conferences being held across regional WA after the Perth Skills Summit was held in August.

Agricultural Region MLC Sandra Carr opened the event on Tuesday.

Ms Carr said it was “pertinent” for the summit to be held in Geraldton given the effect of COVID and cyclone Seroja on workforce demands.

“This has really amplified for all of us that there are skills and resources that we can’t tap into or access in the way we would normally be able to,” Ms Carr said.

“I do know that as I have travelled throughout the agricultural region ... the things I am constantly hearing are about resources and the workforce.

“I think (the summit) is a great opportunity for us to be really creative and innovative around those issues.”

Parliamentary secretary to the Education and Training Minister, Terry Healy, said the regional summits had been “invaluable” opportunities to engage with local industry. “Insights from the summit will inform a local action plan to address changing workforce needs in the Mid West, with a focus on local solutions to local issues,” he said.