The number of unemployed people living in Wyndham has fallen, despite Werribee recording one of the state’s highest unemployment rates, new federal government figures reveal.
June quarter ‘small area labour market statistics’ reveal that in the year to June 30, unemployment in Wyndham fell from 6.8 per cent to 6.2 per cent. The figures also show that job seekers in Werribee are doing it tougher, with 9.9 per cent unemployed as of June 30.
Victoria’s unemployment rate is 6.7 per cent, while the average unemployment rate across the western suburbs is 8.1 per cent.
Across Wyndham, 6625 people are searching for a job.
Wyndham Vale (7.2 per cent), Hoppers Crossing (6.98 per cent) and Werribee South (6.7 per cent) also recorded higher than average unemployment figures.
But in Point Cook, the unemployment rate fell to 3 per cent, while in Tarneit and Truganina it fell to about 5 per cent.
Matchworks general manager Michael Wasley said that while official figures were falling, the agency still had a high number of job seekers on its books.
Mr Wasley said people could boost their chances of finding a job by showing prospective employers they had strong communication skills and a good work ethic.
“Employers aren’t necessarily looking for someone with the qualifications to do a job but rather someone who can do what they’re asked to do,” he said.
The latest statistics are in contrast to a recent University of Adelaide study, which predicted Wyndham would be one of the areas worst affected by closures over the next few years of Australia’s auto-industry.
The study estimated 4360 Wyndham residents would lose their jobs in the next three years.
It said the municipality was likely to record the fifth-highest number of job losses.
