Jobs for the Future Blueprint to inform economic development strategy

Published on 19 December 2018

The newly released Jobs for the Future Blueprint will help inform Council’s new 10-year Economic Development Strategy.

Council has started work on the new strategy, which will support business development and job creation in the region from 2019 to 2029.

The Jobs for the Future Blueprint research, conducted by Deakin University in partnership with Council, formed the first stage of community input into the new strategy.

As part of the Jobs for the Future Blueprint research, local businesses were asked their thoughts about projected growth of the sector and employment opportunities for the shire in the next 20 years. Residents were also surveyed, and provided information on job skills and future work priorities.

Mayor, Cr Janet Pearce said the research indicated that while many residents leave the shire for work each day, many would rather work closer to home.

“We want to encourage and support businesses and job creation, which is why we are preparing a vision for the next 10 years through the new Economic Development Strategy,” she said.

“The strategy will help us create pathways towards more local employment in the future.”

The blueprint research, along with information obtained from upcoming workshops with local businesses, will help inform the strategy.

A draft Economic Development Strategy will be released for public comment early next year.

View a summary of the Jobs for the Future Blueprint findings.

For more information on the strategy, email [email protected] or call Jayde Hayes, Coordinator Economic Development on (03) 5422 0333.