From the CEO - November 2021
Sharing the findings and recommendations of The Future of Work report has been a highlight since its launch in September. The ways in which we will work, the industries we will work in and the technology that we will be working alongside is a fascinating topic and has generated a lot of interest.
The report makes 22 recommendations for WA to lead the Nation in the future world of work and over the coming months a number of roundtables will be held to take a deep dive into specific areas. The first of these was on climate change and was hosted by member organisation Australian Gas Infrastructure Group with CEO Ben Wilson sharing insights on AGIG’s pathway to net zero.
The lion’s share of the recommendations in the report were directed to skills shortage which is the focus of our next project. Meeting current and future workforce needs is one of the biggest challenges facing many WA businesses. Race to the Top is a research project to position the workforce to meet current and future industry skill demand over the next five years. The urgency of preparing the workforce cannot be underestimated, hence it is a race for industry, education providers and policymakers to deliver a ready workforce. A prospectus outlining the benefits of becoming a funding partner is available, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you are interested.
As a thought-leading organisation, we offer many ways for members to learn and discuss issues affecting Greater Perth’s future. Last month we held two Reshaping Working Group online meetings which focused on one of our previous research topics transport and congestion and included discussions on trackless trams and e-mobility. Our New Horizons webinar series focused on the global and Australian economy - to name a few of the topics we have recently covered.
Coming up, we will hold a Chairman’s 20 with the Hon. John Carey, Minister for Housing and Local Government, and our Annual General Meeting and Food for Thought Leaders Luncheon at which we will hear from Noongar Elders about the Danjoo Koorliny ‘Walking Together’ project, while we will explore the region’s human capital with a focus on Mandurah and the Peel region at our final Food for Thought Leaders Luncheon for the year.
We will also be holding a FACTBase Talks to coincide with the release of our latest research bulletin which examines COVID (Sub)Urbanisms: Intra-Metropolitan Mobility Trends in Greater Perth.
The last in the Promoting Perth series, a seven-edition publication developed in collaboration with Business News, is out. ‘Our World Leaders’ issue provides case studies on how Perth punches above its weight. If you have missed this or any previous edition, you can find them on the Business News website. The end of the series completes one of the actions in our Boorloo Kworp ‘Perth is good’ report. It has been a pleasure working with Madeleine Stephens on this project, initially co-created with Mark Pownall.
In the last few months, Business News’ Managing Editor Sean Cowan and I have been busy recording a series of podcasts to explore the ways in which the region has changed over the past decade or so to coincide with our 15th year in operation. I can’t wait for it to go live and thank the Governor and Lord Mayor along with many of the city makers and shapers who joined us in the podcast studio.
Until next month,
Marion Fulker AM
Chief Executive Officer
Adjunct Senior Research Fellow UWA
Photo: Business News podcast - The economy; Reshaping Working Group meeting - Beam mobility; New Horizons webinar - A look at the global and Australian economy; Roundtable Discussion - Climate change: Getting to net zero.
