The Greater Western Sydney Skills Barometer is a joint research project undertaken by TAFE Western Sydney in partnership with the Western Sydney Business Connection (WSBC). 

The Barometer aims to identify predicted future (3-5 years) gaps in Industry Skills across Greater Western Sydney and beyond.  

The report, due to be released in early October, highlights a number of attention areas, one being the importance of both the Vocational Education and Training Sector and Industry Sectors working together to encourage future students to undertake studies and develop careers in skills areas that Industry has identified as being critical for the future, so that businesses of all sizes can continue to actively contribute to the Greater Western Sydney and NSW economies.

Various industry engagement events

 have been held via round table discussions where we have discussed the initial key findings of the Barometer. 

This included an Industry Breakfast with Minister Barilaro MP on the 19^th of August at Mount Druitt TAFE.  

Click on the image to download the initial key findings that were discussed at these events. 

All discussions will be integrated into the final report, due to be released in October 2015.

GWS Skills Barometer Key Findings:

1. There is a significant shortage of skilled and qualified workers in western Sydney, with around half of job applicants under-qualified for the position, according to the Greater Western Sydney Skills Audit.
   
   
2. Management positions are the hardest to fill, accounting for 30% of unfilled roles in GWS and taking an average of nine weeks to fill compared to five weeks for other roles. Skilled and qualified hospitality workers are also in short supply, with 31% of available jobs remaining unfilled.
   
   
3. Businesses are increasingly looking for applicants with superior soft or personal skills, with those cited by business as most important being team work (98%), time management (97%) and communication skills (95%). In addition, 48% of businesses are experiencing a technical skills shortage and this is expected to increase to 68%, or 7 in 10, in the future.

Further details of the report release will be posted soon.