In an effort to ensure a collaborative, joined-up-approach to addressing Marlborough’s labour market pressures, Council has established a Smart+Connected Labour and Skills Group bringing together industry organisations, academia, community groups and government agencies.

Marlborough District Council’s Strategic Planning and Economic Development Manager Neil Henry says we know that by working together we can supercharge existing efforts and new initiatives, so that Marlborough can train, retain, recruit and accommodate the people we so desperately need.

“Over the past 12 months we have noticed Marlborough’s constricted labour market has started to bite, and we think it’s time to bite back,” Mr Henry says.

“There is a lot of opportunity in Marlborough and it was great to see some of the initiatives being discussed at the first Marlborough Labour and Skills Summit last night.

“The Regional Skills Shortage list, for example, is a new Government initiative aimed at ensuring regions such as Marlborough can source skills they urgently need, including through immigration channels. The Ministry of Social Development pilot project is another innovative initiative that aims to support clusters of employers within single industries, to help transition jobseekers back into permanent employment.

“There’s plenty more going on in this space, whether that’s individual companies up-scaling training and recruitment practices, educators kick-starting innovative career pathways, or government agencies taking a stake in sustaining our labour force – and now we have a smart and connected way of bringing all of this together.

“Last night’s Summit was the first step in the right direction to ensuring Marlborough’s labour market has the necessary skills, and people, to allow our region to continue to prosper in future,” Mr Henry said.

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