Skills Shortage

Introduction

Councils around the country, big and small, urban, regional and rural, are all finding it difficult to attract and retain staff.

The issue of skills shortage has been raised by LGMA members from all parts of Australia. Most of the professional associations representing Local Government disciplines are also talking about skills shortage. All of them are keen to participate and contribute toward developing ideas and strategies to alleviate the skills shortage problem in our sector.

The LGMA has been deliberating on the skills shortage issue for some time now. This is a complex issue that will require significant input in definition and development of creative ideas and strategies.

The LGMA determined to hold a National Forum on Skills Shortage in Local Government in Canberra. The forum objectives were to:

explore and define the skills shortage issues and impact on the provision of Local Government services;

identify and define Local Government skills shortage issues requiring national attention; and

develop initiatives and strategies and a coordinated sector-wide action plan to address Local Government skills shortage issues.

The Forum participation included ALGA, professional peak bodies representing planners, engineers, building surveyors, environmental health officers, community services workers, librarians, as well as unions, educators and trainers, Commonwealth Government Departments and State Government Departments responsible for Local Government.

Local Government professional peak bodies:

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