Greater Shepparton loses 12,000 jobs since start of Covid pandemic

Latest figures show Shepparton has lost the most jobs in any country Victorian town since the start of the Covid pandemic. Find out why.

Greater Shepparton has lost more jobs than any other regional Victorian town, according to new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Latest figures reveal almost 12,300 jobs have been lost across the region from February last year to September 2021.

Retail has been hardest hit with 3800 people left to look for work while there were 2200 jobs lost in the harvest industry — one of the region’s strongest income sources.

The heath care and social assistance field saw more than 2000 people out of work.

Meanwhile, the utilities sector experienced a loss of almost 1200 employees.

Independent member for Shepparton District Suzanna Sheed said the figures were concerning and something needed to be done.

“I want Shepparton to be first on the Victorian Government’s list when looking at job-creation deals such as manufacturing, energy production, and major projects such as the Shepparton Bypass,” she said.

“These figures represent a loss of 12,292 jobs in our district and we urgently need state government investment in major projects and manufacturing opportunities, so we don’t see this trend continue.”

But in good news, there is plenty of work available within the local community, according to Committee for Greater Shepparton chief executive Sam Birrell.

He said the “overwhelming” feeling among businesses was they were desperate to add to their existing staff.

“Our businesses are open again and they want to see people apply for positions,” he said.

“We’ve got the Grow Greater Shepparton program which is an initiative to help people land work in the local community.

“More information can be found on the website.”

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