Skills and labour shortages across regional NSW remain a major challenge for councils, businesses and communities, despite encouraging progress through new training and workforce programs.
The issue dominated discussions at the recent General Meeting of the Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) at NSW Parliament House, where mayors from rural, remote and regional areas heard updates on initiatives aimed at boosting workforce participation and attracting skilled workers to the regions.
CMA chairman Mayor Rick Firman OAM of Temora Shire Council said recruitment difficulties continued to constrain economic development and housing delivery across country NSW.
“It was encouraging to hear our NSW Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, the Hon. Steve Whan MP advise us that 120,000 students have been connected with employers through Smart and Skilled. Though NSW Shadow Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Mr. Justin Clancy MP said that NSW apprentice numbers are at their lowest since 2020, with only about half of our apprentices completing their training and attaining a qualification,” he said.
“Minister Whan said that Fee-free apprenticeship funding has been continued. ensuring that cost is no barrier to vocational training in NSW. This was great to hear but the issue is clearly more complex than course fees,” Firman said.
Jobs and Skills Australia analysis presented to the meeting showed workforce shortages in regional NSW have become more concentrated in key industries including healthcare, construction and trades, even as broader post-pandemic labour shortages begin to ease.
Local councils remain heavily impacted, particularly in smaller communities where councils are often among the largest employers. Many continue to struggle to recruit and retain skilled workers while also investing in long-term training and career development opportunities.
The CMA highlighted the NSW Government’s $252 million “A Fresh Start for Local Government – Apprentices, Trainees and Cadets Program” as an important step in strengthening regional workforces.
Deputy Secretary of the Office of Local Government Brett Whitworth PSM said 132 councils, county councils, joint organisations and regional organisations of councils had secured grant funding to employ new apprentices, trainees and cadets.
“We’ve seen 1,138 New apprentices, trainees and cadets employed in councils around the State, with 65 per cent of those being in rural and regional Councils (that’s 734 new employees) and three-quarters of those are aged 25 and under, and 15 per cent are Aboriginal.”
Mayor Firman also praised the NSW Government’s “The Welcome Experience” program, which helps essential workers and their families relocate and settle into regional communities.
“This program is a real winner for rural, remote and regional NSW!”
Craig Jenkins, Acting Executive Director of Regional Economic Delivery at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, said the initiative would expand across all non-metropolitan NSW from the new financial year.
The program provides local support for newcomers navigating challenges such as housing, schooling and employment opportunities for partners.
“Between July 2023 to April 2026, 3,412 essential workers have moved to rural, remote and regional NSW. Including family members, we’ve helped 7,025 people to settle in country communities,” he said.
Firman said addressing workforce shortages would remain a key priority for the CMA and regional councils across the state.
“Our next priority focus will be Roads, Transport and Disaster Recovery. Our 2026 regional meeting will be hosted by Ballina Shire Council at the start of July.”
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