The aim of the survey was to:
	1. Explore with local businesses in the 3214 and some 3215 postcodes the issues impacting on their capacity for growth and expansion of their workforce and, 2. Investigate the barriers and skills gaps that exist for businesses to employing local residents.

The Participants
In total 25 general managers/business owners from a range of organisations in the Corio, Norlane, North Shore and North Geelong suburbs completed the survey. Of these businesses 38% employed between 10 and 50 people and 33% employed 100 or more people. The majority (92%) of businesses have been operating in the 3214/3215 community for more than 10 years.

The Results
When asked if their business expected a change in the number of employees over the coming 12 months, responses were quite diverse with 36% expected an increase; 32% expected a decrease and 32% expected no change.

The main reason provided for an increase was due to new upcoming business projects whilst those who expected a decrease attributed the reduction to economic conditions or a lack of new business.

76% of the participating businesses ranked themselves as having a ‘very positive’ , ‘positive’ or neutral business outlook for the coming months, while 24% rated their business as having a ‘negative’ outlook, mostly attributed to a lack of new business.

Of the businesses surveyed, on average 36% of their employees live in the 3214 area. When asked what they believed the single most important facts were for ensuring a viable future for businesses in the 3214 community skilled labour, local support and a strong economy were the most frequent responses.

Businesses believed that the 3214 suburbs offered them a number of advantages including proximity to key industries, reliable support businesses and location (close to air, rail and sea).  However a shortage of skilled labour, planning restrictions, slow growth of local market, transport/freight costs and negative image of the community were all identified as disadvantages. In regard to skilled labour shortages, employers identified the main areas being Trade skills eg welding; plumbing; sheet metal; boilermakers, Engineering qualifications, and job-specific Technical skills.

In order to grow and/or improve their operations over the next 12 months, participating businesses nominated improved staff skills, new equipment and greater community support as the key factors. Greater linkage between business, community and education systems, improved public transport, and government investment into important infrastructure were also highlighted as important to improving business opportunities.

Where to from here?
The survey has provided an insight into the expectations, issues and future objectives of businesses operating in the Northern Suburbs.

The results show that despite an apparent shortage of particular skilled labour, that almost two thirds of 3214 businesses surveyed are anticipating their employee numbers to remain steady or increase. This is certainly encouraging given the current economic environment both locally and globally.

However, the challenges faced by these businesses have also been highlighted particularly around finding skilled workers, pathways between education and industry and wider community and government support of the 3214 area.

It is this information that will assist to steer the Northern Futures initiative in its endeavour to improve business, investment, education and social opportunities in Geelong’s northern suburbs.