Made in Ipswich: Woollen Mills to Advanced Manufacturing
As the 3rd largest employer in the region, the manufacturing sector has always played an important role within the City of Ipswich and surrounds.
Quick stats:
1. 3rd largest employer within the region.
2. In recent years, the sector generated export revenue of more than $4.4 Billion.
3. The manufacturing workforce is ageing with almost 57% over 40 years old - presenting opportunity and challenges in providing the next generation of skilled workers.
The Queensland Government’s Workforce Report and Action Plan for the Manufacturing Industry in Ipswich notes that 53% of the workforce do not hold post-school qualifications. This fact is certainly not lost on the levels of government. Locally, Ipswich City Council have dedicated strategies and non-government bodies such as the Ipswich Region Chamber of Commerce who are also advocating for more skills-based development in the region.
| Economic measure | 2018/19 | 2013/14 |
|---|---|---|
| City | City of Ipswich | City of Ipswich |
| Employment (Total) | 9649 | 9415 |
| Employment (FTE) | 8752 | 8653 |
| FTE to total employment ratio | 0.91 | 0.92 |
| Exports ($m) | 4571.32 | 4309.71 |
Source:National Institute of Economic and Industry Research (NIEIR)©2019. Compiled and presented in economy.id by.id the population experts. Data are based on a 2016-17 price base for all years. NIEIR-ID data are inflation adjusted each year to allow direct comparison, and annual data releases adjust previous years’ figures to a new base year.Learn morePlease refer to specific data notes for more information.
Manufacturing a new future – Where to from here?
The pandemic has certainly disrupted supply chains parallel to ongoing geo-political rumblings between Australia and it’s largest two-way trading partner, China. To address the challenges faced by the current status-quo, the federal government has formed the National COVID Coordination Commission (NCCC).
The manufacturing taskforce includes business representatives as well as union leaders from that sector. If you have time, it’s worth reading a recent story by the ABC. Another example of government assistance is the Manufacturing Modernisation Fund, supporting up to 200 projects with $215m of funding – and it’s desperately needed based on the findings of the Australian Chamber Westpac Survey of Industrial Trends June 2020.
The survey’s Actual Composite Index, which indicates business confidence, fell to 24 in the June quarter, the lowest measured since 1966. The index dropped sharply from 45 in March and 53 in December 2019.
So where does that leave Ipswich? (opinion)
Ipswich has certainly seen plenty of change over the years as the economy ebbs and flows with market demand and has proven resilient in pivoting and adjusting to change. With a local economy underwritten by large population growth and an excellent geographic location for logistics, defence and health, Ipswich should be in a sustainable position moving forward - as long as the skills gap is addressed to support future manufacturing. Other government incentives that encourage investment and innovation will also be critical in sustaining this important sector within Ipswich and further afield.
