Global study rates Melbourne low for job creation in wake of coronavirus pandemic
A global study has identified which cities are best placed to create new jobs in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. See how Melbourne stacks up.
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Melbourne has performed poorly in a global survey of the cities likely to offer the best job prospects after the coronavirus pandemic.
But Lord Mayor Sally Capp has hit back, saying the city council was working hard to support businesses and Melbourne would bounce back strongly.
Melbourne came 80th out of 100 cities rated, behind Perth (48), Sydney (52) and Adelaide (78), said the study by digital social education outfit FutureLearn.
The only other Australian city looked at was Brisbane, coming in at 82.
FutureLearn rated Singapore as the best place to find a job this year, followed by Copenhagen, Helsinki, Oslo and Dubai, while the worst placed were Santiago, Athens, Mexico City and Rome.
Cities were ranked in an index according to factors including economic and educational performance, number of new start-ups, amenity issues, and how governments are supporting businesses amid pandemic shutdowns.
Melbourne was let down by relatively low scores on cost of living, workers’ rights and healthcare spending.
Adelaide was one of the top rated for cost of living with a score of 97,6, compared to Melbourne’s 87.01.
Cr Capp said that like all cities, Melbourne faced extremely uncertain economic times because of the pandemic.
“Our focus is on making sure Melbourne is open for business as soon as the restrictions lift,” she said.
“The City of Melbourne is already delivering multimillion-dollar grants and other support to our local businesses and arts community.”
The Lord Mayor said the city economy topped $100 billion last year, with big jobs growth from the retail, dining and entertainment scene.
“I am optimistic and confident our vibrant city will make a comeback,” she said.
FutureLearn CEO Simon Nelson said the index was a valuable insight into the cities best primed for economic stability and career opportunities.
“And it will hopefully help those looking for new jobs in their search,” he said.
“Many industries previously believed working remotely to be impossible, but we are
now entering a new era of digitalisation, and it seems likely that the pandemic has changed this view entirely.”
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