Loddon Mallee South
Regional overview
Mildura
Loddon Mallee South occupies the geographic centre of
Victoria. It extends from Boort and Pyramid Hill in the north
to the Macedon Ranges in the south-east. At its closest point,
the region is 50km from metropolitan Melbourne.
The region includes the local government areas of Central
Goldfields, Greater Bendigo, Loddon, Macedon Ranges and
Mount Alexander.
LODDON MALLEE
NORTH
Swan Hill
Yarriambiack
Gunnawarra
Hindmarsh
Buloke
Moira
Loddon
WIMMERA SOUTHERN
MALLEE
West
Wimmera
Wodonga
Northern
Wimmera
Horsham
Central
Goldfields
Pyrenees
Ararat
Mount
Alexander
• The regional economy has seen a shift towards Service
sectors, a trend which is expected to continue over the next
decade. Looking forward, the highest growth is anticipated
in the Health Care, Education and Finance sectors. While
Manufacturing is projected to decline, it will remain
important to the regional economy.
• The Manufacturing industry in the region has strong links
to the Agriculture sector, with approximately one third
of the region’s Manufacturing output from Food Product
Manufacturing. Metals and Engineering, Building Products
and Transport Equipment are also important Manufacturing
sectors in Loddon Mallee South.
Mansfield
East Gippsland
Murrindindi
GIPPSLAND
Ballarat
Moorabool
METROPOLITAN
Wellington
Moyne
• Mining, Financial and Insurance Services and
Manufacturing are key industries to the region,
contributing over one third of gross regional product.
Alpine
Mitchell
Macedon
Ranges
Hepburn
Corangamite
• Growth has not been distributed evenly in the region,
with Bendigo and surrounds accounting for the majority
of economic and employment growth – trends which are
anticipated to continue into the future.
Towong
Wangaratta
HUME
Golden Plains
GREAT SOUTH COAST
• Loddon Mallee South has a diverse economy, reflected in
the region’s comparatively strong growth over the last ten
years. The region’s economy grew faster than the State
average between 2001 and 2011 and its population growth
was the third highest in regional Victoria. The region also
has a higher participation rate and lower unemployment
rate than the regional Victorian average.
Indigo
Strathbogie
Glenelg
Economy and outlook
Greater
Shepparton
Benalla
Greater
Bendigo
CENTRAL
HIGHLANDS
Southern
Grampians
Campaspe
LODDON
MALLEE
SOUTH
Baw Baw
Greater
Geelong
GEELONG AND
SURROUNDS
Warrnambool
ColacOtway
Latrobe
Queenscliffe
Surf Coast
Shire
Bass Coast
South
Gippsland
• While the region’s main economic activity is focused
around Bendigo and its surrounding areas, the Macedon
Ranges local government area also has a strong labour
market. This local government area benefits from its
proximity to Metropolitan Melbourne, giving its residents
a wider variety of options for employment.
• Central Goldfields is the smallest economy in Loddon Mallee
South and has a higher reliance on the Agriculture and
Manufacturing industries than other areas in the region.
Figure 1: Key indicators
Key indicators
2011
Loddon
Mallee South
Regional
Victoria
Victoria
GRP growth 2001-11
3.7%
2.2%
3.5%
Employment growth
2001-11
1.0%
0.6%
1.0%
Population growth
2001-11
0.9%
0.7%
1.4%
Unemployment rate
4.9%
5.1%
5.4%
Labour force
participation rate
58.8%
58.5%
61.4%
Growth figures represent annual average growth rate 2001-2011
Source: RDV, ABS Census 2011
Key training challenges for the region
• Workforce skills gaps have been identified in key regional economic growth industries including Construction, Education,
Transport and Logistics and Health.
• The ongoing transition from Manufacturing towards Service industries in the region has implications for the skills needed
by local employing businesses. The training market can support Loddon Mallee South residents in developing and
deepening their skills, to enable them to participate in any emerging industry opportunities.
• Despite the shift towards Service industries in Loddon Mallee South, Manufacturing remains a key industry – the third
largest employer in the region. The industry appears under-represented in the regional training market; increased
alignment could support the industry to build workforce skills and foster innovation.
7
Vocational Training: Victoria’s Regional Report 2012
Regional training delivery4
Figure 3: Regional training comparison
• There were 16,400 government subsidised vocational
training enrolments in 2012. In addition, the region’s
TAFE providers saw an additional 4,300 fee for service
enrolments.
• Government subsidised training delivery growth of 7 per cent
was the second lowest across regional Victoria in 2012. In
contrast, the growth rate for TAFE fee for service enrolments
was the highest in regional Victoria, at 127 per cent.
• TAFE Institutes accounted for a majority of the region’s
enrolment growth between 2011 and 2012, approximately
70 per cent of the total. They remain the largest provider
type in Loddon Mallee South, accounting for just over 50
per cent of regional enrolments.
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Loddon Mallee
South
11,000
12,400
13,000
15,300
16,400
Year-on-year %
change
% change
across Victoria
–
12%
5%
17%
7%
–
2%
17%
35%
25%
Figure 4: Vocational training provider trends
Number of providers 2012
(% change since 2011)
85
• The number of providers delivering training in the region
continues to grow, with 109 providers in 2012 compared to
83 in 2011 – an additional 26 providers.
• Despite overall enrolment growth, apprentice and trainee
enrolments declined in 2012, the second lowest growth in
regional Victoria.
23
Figure 2: Regional training dashboard 2012 vs. 2011
1
Government
funded
enrolments
TAFE
10%
Private
ACE
7% 16,400
TAFE FFS
enrolments
Total enrolments
(GF + TAFE FFS)
39%
4,300
127%
Provider share 2012
(change in percentage points since 2011)
20% 20,700
51%
42%
Students
Enrolments by provider type
Hours
TAFE
3% 13,400
5.3 million
44%
7%
10% 8,300
-1%
1%
Privat e
7% 6,900
AC E
-9% 1,200
Apprentices/
trainees
-2% 5,100
TAFE
Private
ACE
Note: size of bars represents % growth 2011-12
4
Scope of data is nationally accredited and recognised training at AQF level
1 and above. Commentary refers to government subsidised activity unless
otherwise stated.
Vocational Training: Victoria’s Regional Report 2012
8
Figure 5: Training delivery by LGA
Local Government
Area
Enrolments 2012
% change
2011-2012
Number of
providers 2012
% change
2011-2012
Student
participation rate %
641
11%
21
62%
15%
14,700
25%
69
44%
14%
Central Goldfields (S)
Greater Bendigo (C)
Loddon (S)
41
0%
5
-29%
12%
Macedon Ranges (S)
392
-64%
25
79%
11%
Mount Alexander (S)
693
-63%
20
67%
11%
• Training delivery is concentrated in the Greater Bendigo local government area, accounting for 89 per cent of the region’s
enrolments. Regional enrolment growth is also concentrated in Greater Bendigo, with only one other LGA showing growth in
2012, while Macedon Ranges and Mount Alexander have shown significant declines in enrolments between 2011 and 2012.
• The region’s student participation rate of 13 per cent is slightly lower than the regional Victorian average of 15 per cent.
Figure 6: Enrolments by funding band5
2012
26%
2011
36%
31%
A
15%
30%
B
Industry profile
C
18%
3%
4%
D
19%
16%
E
• In 2012, 26 per cent of government subsidised enrolments
in the Loddon Mallee South region were aligned to funding
band A, and 36 per cent aligned against band B.
• Data for enrolments in 2011 are shown aligned against
funding bands for the 2011 calendar year for comparison
purposes only.
• In 2012, there were slightly fewer enrolments in courses
aligned to bands A, C and D than in 2011, but more at band
B, and slightly more at band E.
5
9
These bands were introduced in 2012 and apply specifically to qualifications
current in 2012 and later. In order to allow comparison with previous years,
superseded courses have been assigned a subsidy band for analysis purposes
based on the band of the current course to which they most closely align.
Vocational Training: Victoria’s Regional Report 2012
• Service oriented and population driven sectors such
as Health Care and Social Assistance, Retail, Education
and Construction are among the region’s top employers.
Manufacturing remains key to Loddon Mallee South, the
third largest employer in the region.
• Health Care and Social Assistance, Education and Training
and Construction are also key industries in terms of
training delivery, positioning the region well to respond to
the region’s identified skill gaps in these industries. Arts
and Recreation Services is another key training market
segment, with these four industries accounting for over
two-thirds of industry-specific enrolments in the region.
• Courses aligned to the Construction industry attract
the most enrolments in Loddon Mallee South, with
approximately 3,400 enrolments in 2012. This number has
declined since 2011, down by 12 per cent. At 28 per cent of
total industry enrolments, the proportion of Construction
enrolments in Loddon Mallee South is significantly above
the Victorian average of 13 per cent.
Figure 7: Industry share of employment and
vocational training
Employment 2011 (% total)
Enrolments 2012 (% total)
16%
Health Care and Social Assistance
13%
Retail Trade
Manufacturing
11%
Retail Trade
11%
11%
Manufacturing
10%
Education and Training
8%
Education and Training
Construction
7%
8%
Construction
7%
6%
Accommodation and Food Services
5%
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing
2%
4%
Professional, Scientific and Technical
Other Services
Financial and Insurance Services
4%
4%
5%
11%
Public Administration and Safety
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing
2%
6%
2%
3%
3%
5%
0%
2%
4%
Transport, Postal and Warehousing
3%
9%
0%
Wholesale Trade 0%
5%
2%
3%
Administrative and Support Services
28%
13%
1%
2%
Financial and Insurance Services
5%
Wholesale Trade
10%
7%
2%
Other Services
3%
Transport, Postal and Warehousing
9%
4%
Professional, Scientific and Technical
8%
4%
4%
3%
Accommodation and Food Services
6%
6%
Public Administration and Safety
19%
19%
Health Care and Social Assistance
12%
2%
Administrative and Support Services
5%
Arts and Recreation Services
2%
2%
Arts and Recreation Services
Information Media and Telecoms
1%
2%
Information Media and Telecoms
Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste
1%
1%
Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste 0%
Rental, Hiring and Real Estate
1%
1%
Mining
1%
0%
Loddon Mallee South
15%
6%
0%
1%
0%
Rental, Hiring and Real Estate
0%
1%
Mining 0%
Source: ABS Census 2011
Victoria
Loddon Mallee South
2%
Victoria
• The high proportion of enrolments in Health Care and Social Assistance courses reflects its importance in the local labour market.
Enrolments have increased by 14 per cent since 2011, by almost 300 enrolments, with the most popular courses relating to
children’s services and aged care (making up 30 per cent and 17 per cent of enrolments in health-related courses respectively).
• Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing, the region’s fifth largest industry in terms of training, showed the largest enrolment growth in
2012. Enrolments more than doubled, to just under 700, with the highest number of enrolments in the Certificate III in Agriculture.
Figure 8: Occupation share of vocational training (top 10)
Enrolments 2012 (% total)
9
Carpenter
Sports Development Officer
2%
8%
0%
5%
5%
5%
Child Care Worker
Aged or Disabled Carer
3%
5%
Office Manager
8%
4%
Mixed Crop and Livestock Farm Worker
1%
Plumber
1%
Fitness Instructor
4%
3%
2%
3%
General Clerk
Electrician
Loddon Mallee South
4%
• The top ten courses in terms of 2012 enrolments accounted
for approximately 50 per cent of all occupation-specific
training (excludes foundation training and languages other
than English).
• Courses linked to the occupation Carpenter are the
most popular in Loddon Mallee South, in line with wider
popularity of construction courses in this region.
• Sports Development and Coaching courses, aligned to the
occupation Sports Development Officer, also attract an
above average share of enrolments in Loddon Mallee South
when compared with total Victorian enrolments.
3%
2%
Victoria
Vocational Training: Victoria’s Regional Report 2012
10
Qualification level 2012 (% change since 2011)
Qualification profile
9,800
• Loddon Mallee South has lower levels of educational
attainment when compared to the Victorian average.
41 per cent of the workforce has no post-school
qualifications compared to an average of 38 per cent
across Victoria. The region’s qualification profile is above
average for regional Victoria, however, where 43 per cent
of the workforce has no post-school qualifications.
4,800
• Thirty-seven per cent of Loddon Mallee South’s workforce
has vocational training qualifications compared with
32 per cent across Victoria. Of these, a majority of workers
(approximately two thirds) are qualified to Certificate
III-IV level.
• The majority of vocational training enrolments are at
Certificate III-IV level, in line with the regional vocational
training-qualified workforce. However, in previous years,
Diploma and above level enrolments have been lower
than average, although there are now signs that the
regional training market is responding to labour market
requirements, with enrolments at qualifications at this
level seeing above average enrolment growth over the
last 12 months (an increase of 12 per cent).
1,700
5%
7%
12%
Cert I-II
Cert III-IV
Diploma & Above
Student profile
Figure 10: Working age participation6
Working age students and population (% total)
CALD
Disabled (see footnote)
Indigenous
Unemployed (see footnote)
Youth (15-19)
Mature age (45+)
Workforce qualifications
Students
41%
38 %
Cert I-II
Diploma +
25%
20%
10%
11%
22%
Higher education
Loddon Mallee South
30%
Victoria
Source: ABS Census 2011
Top qualifications
2012
Certificate II in General Education for Adults
1486
Certificate III in Carpentry
878
Certificate I in Vocational Preparation
699
Certificate III in Agriculture
444
Certificate III in Children's Services
372
These 5 courses accounted for 24% of all government funded training in the region.
Vocational Training: Victoria’s Regional Report 2012
4 8%
51%
22%
4%
28%
11%
19%
44%
Population
• The low proportion of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse
and Indigenous students in Loddon Mallee South are in line
with the overall population profile for these cohorts.
• The proportion of unemployed students in Loddon Mallee
South is joint highest in regional Victoria, highlighting the
role played by the regional training market in supporting
labour market participation.
• While slightly under-represented in the vocational training
system, the number of female students has grown faster
than the overall resident student growth rate in 2012, now
accounting for 48 per cent of students compared with 45
per cent in 2011.
6
11
3%
2%
1%
• Figure 10 highlights vocational training participation among
different cohorts, comparing working age vocational
training students resident in Loddon Mallee South with the
region’s working age resident population. Figures referred
to in earlier charts and tables in this section relate to
enrolments in the region by students that may or may not
be resident in the region.
2%
1%
Cert III-IV
Source (popn d ata): ABS Census 2011
9%
Female
Figure 9: Qualification trends – workforce and
vocational training
No non-school qualifications
4%
3%
Note: disabled students appear disproportionally high due to different
definitions of disability in use by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and the
Victorian VET Student Statistical Collection. Data for unemployed residents is
restricted to the working age population and factors in those not in the labour
force and therefore does not match the regional unemployment rate in Figure 1.