Some 150 people gathered in Alice Springs on Friday to take part in the Charles Darwin Symposium which focused on the topic “A skilled workforce for regional and remote Australia: keeping, attracting, training”.
Business, industry, government and academic representatives from across Australia came to CDU’s Alice Springs campus to discuss issues which impact on workforce development in regional and remote areas.
The keynote address, titled “Generation Y and the challenges for workforce development”, was given by Generation Y expert, Peter Sheahan, who spoke about the needs of the 4.5 million Australians born between 1978 and 1994. This group of young people are of particular interest to employers because of the stagnant labour market Australia-wide.
Other addresses included demographic trends and challenges; regional and remote employment – seeking to celebrate success; why people come to or leave the NT; and Indigenous employment. The day wrapped up with a panel discussion.
Charles Darwin Symposia series is an initiative of the Charles Darwin University/Northern Territory Government Partnership Agreement and are supported by the NT Government and the Australian National University.
The symposia are designed to encourage lively and informed debate on issues of importance to all Territorians. Through the symposia, CDU seeks to engage with the wider community, inviting members of the public to participate in the debates, airing diverse points of view, and seeking to reach understandings on the issues under scrutiny.