That is the view of Agrifood Skills Australia chief executive Arthur Blewitt who toured the region yesterday to discuss the employment potential in agriculture.

Mr Blewitt told The Standard that universities and TAFEs needed to work more closely to stop the drain of young people to Melbourne and other large regional cities in search of employment and education.

He said today's school leavers expected tertiary education to be more employment-focused and that demand had to be met with increased consultation with industry.

"The problem with vocational education in this region like many others is that there is one institution here and another institution there and while they may provide excellent training education, they're not working together enough to stop this social trend from growing," Mr Blewitt said.

"Human resources in agriculture and manufacturing have dwindled which means that job seekers have the upper hand.

"What they're looking for is more workplace flexibility and the ability to be involved in on-the-job training."

National Quality Council member Ralph Leutton, who invited Mr Blewitt to visit the south-west, said a south-west regional development plan would give the region the upper hand in attracting and retaining workers.

"A model developed in Spring Street is not necessarily right for Liebig Street, so local businesses, farmers and education providers need to get together to work on a plan that can help south-west Victoria to grow," the Wannon independent candidate said.