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The project developed to address the call for EOI recognises that the seafood workforce is diverse and operates within a changing natural, technological, and socioeconomic environment, providing unique challenges and opportunities. The seafood workforce also, however, operates within the wider Australian economy where rural and regional employment, small-medium business operations, and increasing value-adding opportunities are common topics of interest. The project proposes to provide a comprehensive assessment of the current data framework, make recommendations for improving it, and develop a baseline workforce dataset. The focus will be on the potential to use existing sources of data (particularly administrative data collected by government institutions and data that is required to be collected) and how and when those need to be effectively complemented with additional data. Administrative data are confidential and access limited as is the variety of seafood industry data often collected. Accessing administrative data is explicitly part of this proposal and identifying the sources of, and the type of data available, from industry surveys.

Objectives

1. To establish a baseline workforce dataset to address the lack of accessible, accurate workforce data

2. To identify how to overcome the shortcomings of official classifications to better align data information with how the seafood industry and its workforce operate.

3. To determine how using whole of population statistical data may provide a more accurate picture of the seafood industry workforce

4. To use available literature and expert input to provide an understanding of the true diversity of employment in the seafood sector.

5. To undertake a comprehensive stock-take of the relevant current data sources recording information on the seafood industry workforce.

6. To undertake a comprehensive analysis of the existing data sources and investigate the usefulness of large administrative data such as BLADE/MADIP.

7. To closely involve seafood industry participants through an effective stakeholder engagement strategy and promote a co-design element to the project

8. To provide recommendations to address data gaps and improve the utility of current data, and support the FRDC in meeting the objectives of its Capability and Capacity Building Strategy.