Higher Education and Skills Group

Higher Education and Skills Group

	Victorian Training Market Profiles 2011 Western Melbourne Region
One in a series of regional profiles of the Victorian training market, combining economic analysis with training data to build a picture of the relationship between regional skills needs, employment opportunities and skills training.
Regional Overview The Western Melbourne region extends 1,369 square kms. The region includes the local government areas of Brimbank, Maribyrnong, Melbourne, Melton, Moonee Valley, Hobsons Bay and Wyndham.
Population Profile^1 Regional population estimated at 722,600 in 2011, making up approximately 20 per cent of Melbourne’s total population and is the fastest growing region across Melbourne. Population growth of 12 per cent forecast through to 2016, taking the population to around 807,800. Steady growth in all age groups, with fastest growth in the 30 to 54 years group. In 2011, an estimated 11 per cent of the population were aged 65 and over – compared with 14 per cent for Victoria as a whole. Proportion aged 65 and over is projected to increase to 13 per cent in 2018 (compared with 16 per cent for Victoria). Over 36 per cent of the population born overseas.		Figure 1: Population forecast Source: DPCD Victoria in Future 2008
Economy Western Melbourne’s economic output is estimated at $14.3 billion in 2011, making up around 11 per cent of Melbourne’s total economic output. Manufacturing is the largest contributor to Gross Regional Product (GRP), (14 per cent of total GRP) followed by Construction. Employment is projected to grow by 65,700 people by 2015-16, equating to 13.5 per cent. Key output sectors include Manufacturing, Construction, Agriculture and Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services. A key economic challenge for the West is the reliance on the inner Melbourne job market with the region lacking the full range of employment opportunities that are available to residents in other regions. Education and training provides an avenue for the region to establish new industry skills concentration, especially those that are knowledge-based, professional and skilled, providing for a more diversified local employment base.
Training Delivery Overview^2 There were approximately 148,800 enrolments in vocational education and training courses in the Western Melbourne region in 2011, of which 136,300 (92 per cent) were government funded. Largest GF VET region in metropolitan Melbourne, representing 35 per cent of metropolitan enrolments. Strongest GF enrolment growth in metropolitan Melbourne, up by 54 per cent (or 47,700 enrolments) since 2010. Private RTOs accounted for the majority of the region’s enrolment growth. Largest growth in student numbers of any training market in Victoria, equating to a growth of 51 per cent or 36,400 students. 287 providers delivered GF training in 2011 – 67 more than in 2010. Western Melbourne’s private RTOs have the highest share of the government funded training market in Victoria, accounting for 59 per cent of enrolments. TAFE and ACE provider share is the lowest in Victoria, accounting for 33 per cent and 7 per cent of the local training market respectively.

Figure 2: VET market trends forecast
Responding to the Labour Market Western Melbourne region’s labour force averaged around 536,200 in 2011. Unemployment rate of 6.7 per cent, above the State average of 5.1 per cent. Across Melbourne, Brimbank (Sunshine) had the third highest unemployment rate at 10.4 per cent. The average duration of unemployment is amongst the longest across Melbourne at 43 weeks (Melbourne average is 32 per cent). There is a strong imperative to support learning pathways for disadvantaged long-term unemployed in this region. Unemployment is also particularly high amongst people born in non-English speaking countries at 10.6 per cent within the region. Foundation training offered through VET is a key enabler for this group to gain employment.	Figure 3: Existing workforce Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (2006) Census Community Profiles
Participation rate of 64.7 per cent is below the State average of 65.8 per cent. An estimated 56 per cent of the workforce hold post-school qualifications. This is comparatively low across metropolitan Melbourne (average is 59 per cent). Industries Large employing industry sectors are Manufacturing (33,900), Construction (33,400), Retail (32,691), Health Care and Social Assistance (27,900) and Transport, Postal and Warehousing (24,000). Construction has seen strong employment growth while Manufacturing has been in decline, in line with State-wide trends. Solid employment growth was witnessed in Retail, despite an overall decline at the Victorian level. Health Care and Social Assistance also saw strong growth between 2006 and 2010.

Figure 4: Industry share of employment and VET Top 5 Employing Industries Industry Share (per cent of All Industries in Western Melbourne region) Comments Manufacturing 8,900 enrolments in 2011, up by 3,200 (56 per cent) since 2008. 6th largest VET market sector, despite being the region’s largest employer. Construction Smaller sized training market sector – despite Construction’s importance as a key regional employer. Enrolments have increased to 7,900, up by 2,500 from 2008. Retail Trade The region’s 5^th largest training market sector, although its share of the market is falling. 9,100 enrolments in 2011, representing a 3,800 growth in enrolments since 2008 (up 72 per cent). Health Care & Social Assistance 11,700 enrolments in 2011, 7,100 more than in 2008 (+154 per cent), reflective of its growth as a key regional employer. Key courses – Cert III & Diploma in Children’s Services. Transport, Postal & Warehousing 10th largest VET market sector, with 4,800 enrolments in 2011. Enrolments up by 165 per cent (3,000) since 2008. Key courses – Cert II & Cert III in Transport & Logistics (Warehousing & Storage). Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (2006) Census Community Profiles, Regional Development Australia (2011) Melbourne’s West – Victoria’s Gateway: A Regional Plan, SVTS

Occupations Reflecting broad trends across Victoria, Western Melbourne’s largest occupation of employment is professionals, followed by clerical and administrative workers. When compared with Victoria, the region has: Higher proportion of blue-collar workers, clerical and administrative workers and sales workers. Below average proportion of managers and professionals.

Figure 4: Occupation share Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (2006) Census Community Profiles, SVTS

When comparing the proportion of occupational enrolments in the regional training system to the State average, there is a below average share of enrolments linked to blue collar employment – despite making up a higher proportion of Western Melbourne’s workforce. Qualifications Key characteristics of Melbourne’s West are: Lower English language and numeracy skills resulting in a major barrier to meaningful employment. New jobs being created by local industry beyond the capacity of low skilled households from within the region to fill, with a risk of a widening skills imbalance between residents and industry demand. A workforce that is highly exposed to economic downturn and high mortgage stress. Western Melbourne has experienced the highest enrolment growth in Victoria at all qualification levels, reflecting the need for entry level training to support access to employment combined with strong demand from local industry for employees with higher level skills. Figure 5: Government funded training

1 Population and economic commentary sourced from Department of Planning and Community Development, Victoria in Future 2008 and Western Melbourne Regional Development Australia Committee (2011) Melbourne’s West – Victoria’s Gateway: A Regional Plan

2 All vocational education and training data is sourced from the Skills Victoria Training System (SVTS). Data refers to VET government funded training only, unless otherwise stated.

Victorian Training Market Profiles 2011: Western Melbourne