Singleton’s industry leaders called to collaborate on economic future
Published on 11 April 2023
A new program being launched in partnership between Singleton Council and Business Singleton will support the growth of core local industries by creating a connected network of businesses to work together on workforce development, building business capacity and industry stability.
The Industry and Workforce Development Program is the latest in Council’s suite of economic development programs funded by NSW Government’s Resources for Regions Round Eight.
Delivered in collaboration with regional partners and industry stakeholders, the Industry and Workforce Development program will engage local industry in future-focused roundtable discussions to identify and prioritise strategies to address barriers to growth and harness opportunities for the future.
The first rountable will take place on 3 May from 10am to 12pm at Singleton Civic Centre with a focus on the construction industry. All construction business stakeholders are invited to attend, including heavy civil to trades, domestic and commercial builders.
Vicki Brereton, Council’s Director Organisation and Community Capacity, said the core industries for this specific program were selected based on their strategic importance to the continued evolution of Singleton’s economy.
“The Industry and Workforce Development program will focus on construction, manufacturing, agriculture, retail and hospitality, health and social services and mining services initially, acknowledging that other industries such as tourism already have strong networks in place to support industry development,” she said.
“We’re inviting leaders from these industries to share their perspectives individually and as part of a number of roundtable discussions which will be facilitated by Jacinta Outlaw, a Business Australia business advisor and founder of digital transformation agency the Fifth Element.
“One of the main objectives of the program will be to anticipate future employment skills requirements, so we can ensure our labour force is ready to meet future demand and we can retain jobs in Singleton as our economy evolves.”
Danny Eather, President of Business Singleton, said no one understood the challenges of an evolving economy better than local businesses.
“We want to hear first-hand what our industries are currently experiencing and what they’d like us to champion locally and regionally,” he said.
“We are also keen to harness their vision for their industry’s future, both at a local level and from a viewpoint of linking into future regional trends.”
For more information or to be part of the Industry and Workforce Development program, click here or contact Jelinda Millgate, Council’s Industry Development Officer via E business@singleton.nsw.gov.au or T 02 6578 7290.