ONE area in SA is bucking the trend when it comes to employment.
In June, unemployment rate for the state rose from 7.6 per cent to 8.2pc, seasonally adjusted. This is the highest in Australia, with the national rate at 6pc.
But in Bordertown, the rate is considerably lower.
Tatiara Business Association secretary Jo Edwards said the local employment rate was closer to 2pc, rising up from as low as 0pc in the recent past.
She said the many different industries in the local area meant there were still jobs on offer in the Tatiara region but added the biggest problem for businesses was trying to find the right employees.
To fill this gap, the association held a skills expo in Bordertown to showcase opportunities available.
Group vice president Olivia Jenkins said the event was a chance to match-up potential job candidates and keep skilled people in the area.
"We're trying to help get young people into traineeships or apprenticeships here so they can stay locally," she said.
President Matt Rowett said the expo showcased opportunities available.
"There are definitely opportunities in Tatiara as we have extremely low unemployment, vibrant businesses and we are growing well," he said.
Ms Jenkins said there living and working in country areas had many benefits.
"There can be faster career progression in country areas. It can be less competitive than Adelaide, and provides opportunities to use a more diverse range of skills," she said.
Capital cities, she said, had a tendency to specialise whereas country areas had opportunities to broaden skill range.
Mr Rowett said strong support networks were another advantage of living in smaller communities.
The human resources manager for major Tatiara employer Wickham Flower Andrew Hurtig said he was often searching for skilled workers. The company employs just short of 90 people across five locations.
"A good diesel mechanic is as rare as hen's teeth," he said.
"We often can't employ as people don't always want to work in rural areas, especially while we have mines as competition."
Mr Hurtig said they considered hiring qualified workers from overseas but were put off by prohibitive rates set by the federal government.
Instead, the company places a focus on training.
Mr Hurtig said they have nine apprentices and he expects that to increase again soon.
"We train as much as we can, otherwise it can hamper expansion," he said.
"We're looking at succession planning because we need to see a future and who is going to run the company in 10 or 15 years."
He said one of the directors had started as an apprentice while a former apprentice was now a shareholder, before the age of 30.
Mr Hurtig said people often forgot about some of the facilities available in country areas.
"It's great to live and work in the country," he said.
"There is plenty to do here, we've just got to get people out here."
