Shire to audit its skills and emerging industries

THE Surf Coast Shire will use state government funding to run an audit on the municipality’s skills and emerging industries.

Data from the audit will form the foundation of the shire’s Economic Development Strategy.

“As the birthplace of global surf brands Rip Curl and Quiksilver, Surf Coast has a strong history of innovation and entrepreneurship,” shire mayor Rose Hodge said.

“This continues today, as evidenced by our shire being recently recognised as Australia’s fourth most intensive location for creative industries.

“While we’re certainly up there, we would like to learn more about the type of new businesses and how we can best support them.

“This is why the skills and emerging industries audit will be so vital to the development of a strategy that will drive positive change throughout our local economy.”

Cr Hodge said the audit and ensuing strategy would be subject to extensive stakeholder and community consultation, with the audit focusing on identifying future job opportunities and support programs.

“It’s about predicting those sectors that have the best capacity for creating jobs as our population grows and changes – in other words, identifying the right jobs in the right locations.

“The final strategy should provide Surf Coast Shire with the capacity to re-position itself within an economic development context, which includes a strong focus on job creation.

“It also needs to help Council and the community to understand the role and influence of economic development. The principles that guide the strategy must reflect our community’s values, our economic identity and future needs.

She thanked Regional Development Victoria for providing the $165,000 for the skills and emerging industries audit, and related consultation process, via the Regional Skills Fund.