Gunnedah Shire Council together with Gunnedah and District Chamber of Commerce are inviting local employers to support a business skills project.

A facilitated meeting will be held this week for anyone responsible for hiring, training or providing staff, as well as representatives from businesses, industries or community groups who have identified skills or training needs.

The outcome of the meeting will be a working group of interested people to work together over the next 12 months to problem solve skill shortages.

“The idea behind the project is to work together to attract and retain skilled workers, develop local training options and to support more pathways into employment. Local businesses working together will speed up the development of solutions and build a strong and skilled local workforce,” Gunnedah Shire Council Manager Economic Development Charlotte Hoddle said.

Gunnedah and District Chamber of Commerce Secretary Stacey Cooke said local businesses are feeling frustrated over “the lack of suitable skilled workers” to fulfil job vacancies in the area.

“The skills workshop is a great initiative to bring together the local employment job agencies, business owners and government departments to brainstorm ideas and solutions. This will include information on different types of grants and government support, which will assist business owners in obtaining the skilled workers required,” Mrs Cooke said.

“We are grateful that we have a group of motivated people in Chamber and Council to assist in organising this workshop.”

The one-hour meeting will be held at the Smithurst Theatre from 9-10am on Thursday, 12 October. To register interest, email susan.sims@wixim.com.au by 5pm on Wednesday, 11 October.

ENDS

Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.