Discussion: - How best can the NT Government support industry to manage and plan its current and future workforce needs?
- How can industry ownership for the implementation of workforce action plans be encouraged?
- What is the best way to engage SMEs in workforce planning and development?
- What strategies could be used to assist SMEs that have less capacity and fewer resources to undertake workforce development and planning?
- Are the proposed sectors for future work appropriate or are there other industry sectors government should consider as a priority? If so, what are they and why?
- What role should NT Government play in supporting the development of regional plans? And how local ownership can be fostered?
Contemporary practice indicates that government has a significant role to play in facilitating industry and business workforce planning and development approaches. To progress workforce planning, government has been working with industry to develop industry specific strategies to build capacity, to identify and support workforce and labour supply issues and assist in developing the workforce to meet labour needs.
As a result of upcoming major projects, the government has completed a workforce impact analysis which has directed the focus of industry workforce plans. To date, industry workforce plans have commenced for:
There has also been a focus on emerging sectors, such as early childhood and tourism.
The workforce strategies for each of the sectors are at various levels of development and implementation.
To support SMEs, a workforce planning component has been included in the suite of business support programs offered through Government’s Territory Business Solutions Program.
Research and consultation with Territory industries has identified the following industry workforces as a priority for action:
Research has identified that nationally there is a move towards regional workforce planning. This approach focuses on the significant impact regional communities, and the diverse range of industries and population have on the economy, while recognising the unique challenges regions face.