4100 WORKERS NOW LOST
Region’s workforce reduced to 70,600
ONE out of 20 workers in Toowoomba and the Lockyer Valley left the region over the past 12 months, in a startling statistic that has economic leaders calling for reforms.
New labour data shows the region’s workforce was 70,600 people in March, a 5.5 per cent drop from March 2021, worth roughly 4100 workers.
Toowoomba’s workforce descrease was the most severe of any statistical area in Queensland.
ONE out of 20 workers in Toowoomba and the Lockyer Valley left the region over the past 12 months, in a startling statistic that has economic leaders calling for reforms.
New labour data from the Queensland Government Statistician’s Office showed the region’s workforce, which includes the greater Toowoomba area and the Lockyer Valley, was 70,600 people in March.
The figure represents a 5.5 per cent drop from March 2021, worth roughly 4100 workers.
Toowoomba’s workforce decrease was the most severe of any statistical area in Queensland for the time period surveyed.
Despite this, the region’s unemployment only increased slightly to 5.3 per cent, and youth unemployment actually fell to 11.4 per cent.
Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce CEO Todd Rohl suggested the shortfall was being created by people actually leaving the region to find work elsewhere, something he said needed to be rectified.
“We know demand for staff is high in the region and will continue to rise with a pipeline of major developments that will be seeking a workforce,” he said.
“This means a decrease in employed persons figures are very concerning with the potential to have a major impact on business sustainability, growth, and city investment.
“Several factors may be at play here including increased government benefits, inability to find a house to live in, better wages elsewhere in similar industries, investment in technology, migration from Toowoomba to other places, and other regions capitalising on the use of Toowoomba’s talent by working remotely.
“I am anxious that if these figures turn into a trend, it will be detrimental to local business and the city in general.”
The University of Southern Queensland’s Dr Jennifer Luke said Covid-19 had provided people with an opportunity to reassess their careers.
“Employees are becoming more selective in their job searching, seeking a work/life balance when investigating job options,” she said.
“There could be skill shortages across industries and trades is occurring due to retirement of workers and not enough uptake on training such as apprenticeships.
“A strong economy needs a strong skilled workforce, to harness the skills already out there in the community as well as build the future workforce.
“Need further support for mature age workers (close to retirement or re-engage from retirement) who wish to continue working.”
Toowoomba mayor Paul Antonio was contacted for comment.