SKILL shortages and labour solutions was the theme of the recent general meeting at the Country Mayors Association of NSW in NSW Parliament House.

While recruitment challenges continue to impede economic development and housing projects in rural, remote and regional New South Wales, CMA members were encouraged by some impactful programs and genuine commitment to make a difference, according to chairman Rick Firman.

“It was encouraging to hear our NSW Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan advise us that 120,000 students have been connected with employers through Smart and Skilled,” Mr Firman said.

“Though NSW Shadow Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Justin Clancy said New South Wales apprentice numbers are at their lowest since 2020, with only about half of our apprentices completing their training and attaining a qualification.

“Minister Whan said fee-free apprenticeship funding has been continued, ensuring cost is no barrier to vocational training in New South Wales.

“This was great to hear but the issue is clearly more complex than course fees,” Mr Firman said.

Jobs and Skills Australia analysis has shown regional New South Wales skilled labour shortages have shifted from extreme, broad cross-sector gaps to more targeted deficits in the past 12 months.

While overall post-pandemic shortage peaks have eased somewhat, labour market gaps remain highly concentrated in the care economy, construction, and trades.

In rural, remote and regional New South Wales, the local council can often be one of the largest single employers in a community.

“They struggle to recruit and retain quality staff but they strive to be employers of choice and providing upskilling career pathways,” Mr Firman said.

NSW Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan was presented with a thank-you gift by Country Mayors Association of NSW deputy chairman Russell Fitzpatrick.

“One CMA member boasts a general manager who began in that council as an administration trainee.

“More such positives will emerge from the sector thanks to the NSW Government $252 million initiative A Fresh Start for Local Government – Apprentices, Trainees and Cadets Program,” he said.

Office of Local Government deputy secretary Brett Whitworth told the recent CMA meeting 132 councils, county councils, JOs and ROCs have successfully applied for grant funding for new recruits. “We’ve seen 1138 new apprentices, trainees and cadets employed in councils around New South Wales, with 65 per cent of those being in rural and regional councils – that’s 734 new employees – and three-quarters of those are aged 25 and under, and 15 per cent are Aboriginal,” Mr Whitworth said.

Mr Firman has commended the NSW Government for The Welcome Experience, a free service supporting essential workers and their families who are thinking about moving, or have moved, to regional New South Wales to settle in and become one of the locals.

“This program is a real winner for rural, remote and regional NSW,” he said.

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development acting executive director, regional economic delivery, Craig Jenkins, said the upcoming new financial year will see the program expanded to cover the whole of non-metropolitan New South Wales, with local connectors sub-contracted across the state to support newcomers directly with challenges such as finding accommodation, schools or even spouse employment.

“Between July, 2023 to April 2026, 3412 essential workers have moved to rural, remote and regional New South Wales,” Mr Jenkins said.

“Including family members, we’ve helped 7025 people to settle in country communities.”

Mr Firman said skills and labour shortages are priority concern for the CMA board and members and the meeting was encouraging and constructive, with always more work to be done.

“Our next priority focus will be roads, transport and disaster Recovery,” he said.

“Our 2026 regional meeting will be hosted by Ballina Shire Council at the start of July.”