Abstract
This paper analyses the wage ‘roll out’ effect of a period of rapid resource based development in the Latrobe valley region in Australia. Wage level adjustments are seen to correlate closely to categories of skilled labour shortage on major construction sites. More significantly, these wage adjustments are seen to spill over into all blue collar occupational categories in the region, including industries off the construction sites. The wage ‘roll out’ effect is related to the structure of the regional economy through the application of a survey-based input-output table and through the analysis of labour market recruitment and migration patterns.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Blandy, R. 1981. Labour problems of the minerals boom.Economic Papers, 67, The Economic Society of Australia and New Zealand, New South Wales and Victorian Branches, Autumm Forum, 17–21.
Carter, R. A. 1981.Skilled labour shortages and training needs in Portland. The Portland Urban Area Industry Survey, Melbourne: Ministry of Employment and Training.
Carter, R. A. 1983a. Resource-related development and regional labour markets: the effects of the Alcoa aluminium smelter on Portland.Australian Economic Review, 1st Quarter, pp. 22–32.
Carter, R. A. 1983b.Industry structure and the demand for labour in a resource-based region: the results of the Latrobe Valley Industry Survey. The Latrobe Valley Employment and Training Study, Report No. 4, Melbourne: Ministry of Employment and Training.
Carter, R. A. and Milanese, A. 1983.The economic structure of the Latrobe Valley: applications of a survey-based input-output table. The Latrobe valley Employment and Training Study, Report No. 6, Melbourne: Ministry of Employment and Training.
Dawson, M. W. 1982. Industrial structure and labour market segmentation: urban and regional implications.Regional Studies, 16, 4: 255–266.
Department of Industry and Commerce. 1980.Major manufacturing and investment projects. Canberra: AGPS, December
DOLAC. 1980. Prospective demand for and supply of skilled labour 1980–1983.Departments of Labour Advisory Committee, September.
IAESR (Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research). 1980. The resources development boom.Australian Economic Review 4: 11–19.
Mangan, J., 1981. Labour hoarding in Australian manufacturing.Australian Bulletin of Labour 7, 4: 219–235.
Merrilees, W. J. 1982. Forecasting the demand for skilled tradesmen in the 1980s. Paper presented to the Conference on The Economics of Immigration, University of Sydney.
Richardson, S. 1981. Skilled metal tradesmen: shortage or surplus?Australian Bulletin of Labour 7, 4: 195–204.
Wallace, J. P. 1982. Skilled trades supply. Paper presented to the Conference on “The Economics of Immigration,” University of Sydney.
Williams, L. 1981. A demographic analysis of Australian occupational mobility.Australian Bulletin of Labour 7, 3: 139–173.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Carter, R. Skilled labour shortages and wage ‘roll-out’ effects in an energy-rich region. Papers of the Regional Science Association 56, 113–127 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01887907
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01887907