Healthcare basis for future jobs

NEW figures show the future of employment on the Gold Coast is firmly rooted in the healthcare sector – with growth far outpacing traditional mainstays construction and accommodation and food.

According to employment projections from the Department of Jobs and Small Business, 11,280 additional jobs will come from the healthcare sector between May, 2017 and May, 2022.

Construction can only make up half that number at 6304 while retail is going backwards with a projected job loss of 1456.

Global commercial real estate services organisation Colliers included the figures in its recent report titled: What next for the Gold Coast property sector?

“Whereas a decade ago the Gold Coast was heavily reliant upon mostly the accommodation and food service sector, the future growth industries are expected to be health care, construction, education and training, and professional services and technical services,” the report reads.

“This is likely to see the Gold Coast economy less volatile and result in more steady growth over the short to medium term.”

Cancer care provider Icon Group recently undertook a major expansion of its services, opening a $10 million cancer care centre in Southport.

CEO Mark Middleton said the Gold Coast was becoming a healthcare hub.

“We’re treating more and more people, which means they don’t need to travel to Brisbane anymore,” he said.

“It is becoming a healthcare hub, that is why we are making a significant investment on the Gold Coast.”

Mr Middleton said completion of the Gold Coast University Hospital had boosted the sector.

“The GCUH is a worldclass facility,” he said. “That brings a lot of other healthcare providers to the city.”

Southport Chamber of Commerce president Laird Marshall said the figures revealed a two-edged sword.

“The more we can have industries that are not cyclical, or going up and down, the better.”

However, Mr Marshall expressed concern that unskilled workers on the Coast would find it more difficult to find work – leading to the welfare roll growing.

“There is only so many traffic controllers you have on the roads,” he said.

“I do not know how to solve that. That will be the big issue.”