Strengthening the Connection Between Employers and Employment Services

How can employers and employment services work better together to create sustainable employment outcomes?

It is a question the Springfield Regional Jobs Committee hears regularly through its engagement with employers and workforce stakeholders across the region.

The SRJC recently joined ETC and Charles Sturt University for an Employer Pain Point Lab in Ipswich, bringing together a small group of industry and employment stakeholders to explore recruitment and retention challenges across manufacturing, construction and warehousing.

The discussion examined some of the practical challenges employers experience when engaging with employment services and recruiting people experiencing long term unemployment.

Importantly, the conversation was not simply about identifying the problems. Participants also explored where things could be done differently to achieve better outcomes for employers and jobseekers.

Key themes included the need for stronger employer engagement, better communication, more tailored support and a genuine understanding by employment services of individual businesses, their workplaces and what they need from their workforce.

For the SRJC, strengthening this connection is particularly important.

Employers across our region continue to tell us they need people. At the same time, employment services are working with people who are looking for an opportunity to enter or re enter the workforce. Creating stronger connections between the two, and ensuring the right support is in place, can help turn those opportunities into sustainable employment outcomes.

The Employer Pain Point Lab was the first stage of the process, with the insights gathered helping to inform a further workshop in November focused on developing practical solutions and initiatives.

The SRJC looks forward to continuing to contribute to this work and ensuring the experiences and needs of local employers are part of the conversation.

Thank you to ETC and Charles Sturt University for bringing stakeholders around the table and creating the space for an open and constructive discussion.