MELTON has one of the highest rates of youth unemployment in metropolitan Melbourne, new figures reveal.
But there’s hope for a better future, with employment forecasts suggesting Melbourne’s west will lead the way in job creation over the next five years.
Federal Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations labour force data shows youth unemployment in the outer-western suburbs, which includes Melton, hit 14.5per cent in the 12 months to June.
The region had the second-highest youth unemployment rate in the state.
The central highlands district, including Horsham, recorded a jobless rate of 15.4per cent.
Greater Melton Chamber of Commerce president Ollie Tabone said the situation for local businesses was similar to the national picture.
But while there was a tendency to talk things down, the chamber saw many positives for the shire with more people moving in and new businesses setting up.
“Employment in the area we feel is quite positive and often jobs are filled before they are even listed,” Ms Tabone said.
She said youth jobless figures remained a concern.
“[Youth unemployment] is something that the businesses in the shire in conjunction with the GMCC need to look at … including work placement, work experience and even a ‘give a kid a go’ campaign.”
This week’s opening of an expanded NQR grocery store in Melton is a sign there are better times ahead, according to its chief executive Aaron Fitzgerald.
He said half of the 30 positions at Melton NQR were new.
Maribyrnong MP and Federal Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten said the department predicted 33,600 jobs would be created in the outer-west over the next five years, with the area home to the largest working-age population in the state.
“We have our challenges in Melbourne’s western suburbs, but people who are raising families and running businesses here should feel reassured that the future is positive.” He said the greatest challenge was to equip workers with the right skills to match opportunities.
