Westvic Staffing Solutions chief executive Dean Luciani said the region's unemployment rate was sitting at about 3.1 per cent.

That is compared to the national average being just above 6.4 per cent in January this year.

"The south-west is in a unique position in terms of unemployment," he said.

The city's buoyant economy, building boom and strong agricultural sector were factors, he said.

"We've been performing pretty strongly here for a few years now because we've got a really resilient economy."

"We've got a really broad labour market at the moment and that's meant we've got more jobs than people."

Mr Luciani said during the pandemic business owners were reluctant to do extensive forward planning due to uncertainty.

But the south-west has bounced back and now many employers are struggling to find skilled workers.

"Rightly so business owners took a conservative approach during COVID, but now it's left employers a little short."

Mr Luciani said Westvic staff were working with a number of business owners but many were reluctant to make solid plans too far ahead. "I appreciate it's really difficult for businesses to forecast what the next 12 months is going to look like," he said.

Mr Luciani said there were shortages in most industries, with construction, agriculture and automotive just a few.

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The state government announced on Monday it would fund two Jobs Victoria Advocates in the south-west.

One will work from Westvic Staffing Solutions.

Mr Luciani said the advocate would help people access the support they needed to return to the workforce after the pandemic.

Acting Premier James Merlino said the advocates would connect people with local training providers, careers counselling or more intensive support.

"A job is the foundation on which you can build a better life, for yourself and the people you love," Mr Merlino said.

"With targeted, specialised help we'll get more Victorians back to work and our state's recovery back on track. Our Jobs Victoria Advocates will hit libraries and shopping centres to offer the specialised help that many people need to find work."

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