Skills shortages the focus of NSW government hearing in Coffs Harbour

The hospitality and tourism sectors skills shortage have come under scrutiny at a public hearing in Coffs Harbour today.

The state government inquiry into skills shortages selected Coffs Harbour because of its high number of resorts and large tourism sector.

Chairman of the Economic Committee MP David Elliott said one of the keys to addressing any skills shortage is the ability for people to retrain during their careers.

He says that makes for a flexible labour market.

"What we are finding in some of the submissions that we've received to date is how flexible the market is," he said.

"How much skill they have and also more importantly what do we need to do as a state government to ensure that those skills are met locally and how we can train people up to take those roles.

"Gone are the days when somebody will start a job when they're 18 get a Certificate 3 or Certificate 4, a diploma or even a degree and they'll keep that job until they're 65 and retire.

"We need to make sure that people have a lifelong learning approach to their work life and encourage them to continue that journey so that they can remain relevant to the modern workforce."

Source: ABC News, 16 September 2013