Council
17 July, 2025
Britnell calls for feedback on industry vision
A SOUTH west MP has called on the community to have its say on the future employment needs of the state as part of a new parliamentary inquiry open to public submissions.
South West Coast MP Roma Britnell is a member of the Legislative Assembly Economy and Infrastructure Committee, which will be examining the pathways linking students to the industries which are vital to Victoria’s economic development and that need skilled employees into the future.
“This is an important inquiry because actions taken today will help to determine the future economic success of our region,” she said.
“Finding employees is one of our biggest challenges in South West Coast.
“Our children need to know about available career pathways to prepare them for the future.”
This inquiry is examining how students can be better supported with advice and pathways for jobs in in-demand industries, including through TAFE and other vocational routes.
“I invite members of the south west coast community to contact my office if you’ve got some ideas that you’d like me to feed into the inquiry,” Ms Britnell said.
By 2034, over 1.4 million new workers are expected to enter the Victorian workforce to meet the demands of the economy and replace retirees.
Over 85 per cent of expected new workers in Victoria will need a post-secondary qualification to gain employment over the next decade.
“This inquiry will be examining the types of support students need to gain employment in industries that are in demand,” Ms Britnell said.
These industries include health care and social assistance, agriculture, construction, technology, clean energy and education, among others.
“We’ll be looking at support to enter TAFE and other vocational routes, as well as pathways to some in-demand occupations that require higher education,” Ms Britnell said.
Among the issues is the committee expects to consider support that is needed for specific groups of students such as those in regional Victoria, female students considering work in male-dominated industries and students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
“We want to hear from a range of industries that are experiencing workforce shortages, as well as from students and young people so we can understand what influences the direction they choose to take after school,” Ms Britnell said.
“We’re also keen to hear from educators and those who have experienced barriers to participation so that we can make meaningful recommendations for the benefit of students, educational institutions and employers.”
Submissions are due online by Friday, August 1 and can be made online at https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/jobpathwaysinquiry.
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