New data reveals Hume’s unemployment rate is on the decline but still remains higher than the statewide jobless rate.
National Skills Commission data shows a drop in unemployment in the Hume from 12.1 per cent in June last year, to 10.5 per cent in the September, 2021,quarter.
While some areas of Hume are still experiencing an extremely high jobless rate – 20.4 per cent in Broadmeadows as of September, 2021, down from 22.8 per cent in June – the figures are lower in others – 5.6 per cent in Sunbury down from 6.5 per cent.
Hume’s figures are still more than double the statewide average of 4.1 per cent, despite the statewide figure being at its lowest since 1978.
In Whittlesea, the unemployment rate as of September, 2021, was 7.3 per cent, down from 8.3 per cent in June, 2021.
In November, Hume Whittlesea Local Learning and Employment Network’s (LLEN) executive officer for Hume, Nicky Leitch, said it was a “wait and see” situation for Hume, warning that last year’s COVID-19 lockdown may have adversely affected the city’s jobless rate.
“Because we were such a COVID hotspot, we had a lot of base rate workers, like cleaners and such, get laid off,” Ms Leitch said.
“Casual employment went first, so a lot of our young people were affected, as well as middle-aged women, who were doing the sort of ‘checkout chick’ stuff.”
Hume council development and placing director Michael Sharp said the local government area is “well positioned” to recover from the blow of COVID-19 to its skilled workforce.
“Pre-COVID-19, Hume had been experiencing strong economic and jobs growth for three years,” Mr Sharp said.
“Hume City’s Gross Regional Product is currently estimated at $17.87 billion, which represents 3.79 per cent of the state’s GSP (Gross State Product) – the highest percentage it has ever been.
“Investment by new business into Hume, particularly in manufacturing and transport and logistics, is currently high, showing strong signs of economic recovery.
“Similar growth is occurring with existing businesses. We anticipate that new jobs will accompany this growth, further contributing to driving the unemployment rate down over the next 18 months.”
