Future jobs under the spotlight

CORANGAMITE federal member Libby Coker and Shadow Minister for Innovation, Technology and the Future of Work Clare O’Neil toured the Geelong region on Wednesday last week.

This included a stop at the Surf Coast Shire offices in Torquay where they discussed the Nature of Jobs Digital Transformation Project with Surf Coast Shire mayor Rose Hodge.

Ms Coker said the project provided an innovative method of maintaining a healthy workforce.

“The Digital Transformation Project, run through the Surf Coast Shire, is a great employment initiative.”

Cr Hodge said the meeting had provided an opportunity to discuss the changing nature of the workforce.

“We spoke about how the lifestyle on offer in Surf Coast Shire can be a key determinant in attracting talent to our region and how technology can further support people to live where they want and sustain a meaningful career.

“For example, high bandwidth internet can enable people to work from home, remotely or in local co-working spaces, providing flexibility to both employers and employees.”

She said such discussions were particularly important, as the Surf Coast would require about 2,900 jobs by 2036 to facilitate the region’s growth.

Ms Coker and Ms O’Neil also visited GT Recycling earlier that day.

Ms Coker said she believed the company demonstrated how waste management could be improved.

“GT Recycling is a great example of the opportunities that exist in plastics recycling and highlights the need for strong investment in the industry, particularly as we face a massive plastic waste problem.”