LIVE IN CANBERRA TO ATTRACT SKILLED WORKERS

The employment and lifestyle benefits of Canberra will be promoted by the ACT Government's Live in Canberra Program at six Australian expos this year, Chief Minister Jon Stanhope said today.

"Canberra's persistent labour shortages across select industries can only be addressed in the long term by attracting more skilled workers to live here," said Mr Stanhope.
He said events in the world economic climate had impacted on the ACT economy over the past 18 months, and the issues relating to skills shortages have not abated.

"The Live in Canberra program remains an important part of the ACT Government's commitment to encouraging growth in the Territory," said Mr Stanhope.

"The Live in Canberra team will commence a series of National Careers and Employment Expos in Sydney on 30 April, continuing to Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth during May and June 2010.

"The team will return to Sydney for two additional expos in May and August, as Sydney remains a strong source of domestic skilled workers for the ACT," said Mr Stanhope.

"On the international front, Live in Canberra continues to work in conjunction with the ACT Government's Skilled and Business Migration Program to attract people with the skill sets that best meet our labour market needs," Mr Stanhope said.

Figures released in December 2009 by the Australian Bureau of Statistics substantiate the success of the Territory's dual domestic and international approach, with a population growth of 1.6% for the year ended 30 June 2009.

"This is a great result for the ACT and has seen Canberra's population surge past 350,000 people."

Mr Stanhope said the Skilled and Business Migration Program has helped facilitate this increase through Government sponsorship, with 167 independent skilled migrants with occupations in demand arriving in Canberra during 2008-09.

"They were accompanied by 138 dependants, and have provided an estimated $7.5 million benefit to the local economy. This represents a significant increase from 52 skilled migrants who made the move during 2007-08.

"It is anticipated that 2009-10 will see an even higher intake, with 138 skilled migrants having already arrived since July 2009."

Mr Stanhope said the program has also supported ACT employers by assisting them to employ 369 overseas skilled workers in 2008-09.

"These migrants provide a direct boost to our economy, and our Live in Canberra and Skilled and Business Migration programs will continue to remain focussed on attracting skilled workers in areas of high demand," Mr Stanhope said.

Media Contact:

John Schalch
62058500
0434 667 317
john.schalch@act.gov.au

or

Jess Wurf
6205 0504
0411 772 700
jess.wurf@act.gov.au