BOOM: Healthcare leads the jobs boom according to the latest ABS figures.
BALLARAT has had an employment boom in the past six years, according to the latest census figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
More than 4600 jobs were created in the city between 2006 and 2011, with unemployment falling by 2.7 per cent since June 30, 2006.
Jobs data reveals substantial increases in most major industries, however manufacturing suffered a 6 per cent drop in the number of workers it employs.
Manufacturing, which in 2001 was by far the biggest employer in Ballarat, only just remains as the third largest industry, following healthcare and retail trade. Education and training is fourth.
City of Ballarat chief executive officer Anthony Schinck said the results were promising for the future.
“It demonstrates that all of the work business and key stakeholders have been doing in the last five years is looking good,” he said.
“We’ve seen unemployment decrease from 8.9 to 6.2 per cent, and when we look across the major economic sectors we’re seeing increases in most areas.”
Healthcare and social assistance was one of the fastest growing sectors, gaining 22 per cent more workers between 2006 and 2011.
Sue Robinson was one of them, returning to Ballarat’s health industry in 2010 after 10 years working in other areas. The Ballarat Base Hospital clerical worker said she was thrilled to see the sector booming.
“It’s really pleasing to see the place I left 10 years ago is alive and well,” she said.
evan.schuurman@thecourier.com.au