The Australian Labour Market Update report from Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) released on 28 February 2023 shows promising signs of growth, indicating potential employment opportunities for job seekers. The report shows impressive growth, with significant increases in full-time employment and promising improvements for the long-term unemployed and underemployed. The findings are great news for job seekers and a strong indication of Australia’s economy bouncing back and continuing to thrive.
Employment increased by 0.6%, full-time employment increased by 1.1%, and part-time jobs decreased by 0.5%. The unemployment rate also declined from 3.6% to 3.5%, and the female participation rate reached an equal record high of 62.4% in November 2022. Despite a slight easing in demand, the labour market continues to show sturdy growth in labour supply.
The Australian Labour Market Update reports that there has been significant growth in the job market over the past year, with around 36% of total employment growth attributed to occupations that require university qualifications as the primary pathway for entry. But most employment growth, just over 60%, has been in occupations requiring vocational education and training (VET) qualifications as the primary pathway.
The trend towards VET qualifications being the primary pathway for employment growth reflects the increasing demand for skilled workers in the current job market. Many industries seek employees with specific technical skills and experience, and VET qualifications provide a direct path to gaining those skills.
While university qualifications remain essential for many professions, VET qualifications are becoming increasingly crucial for those looking to enter the workforce.
Australian Labour Market Update Reports Skills Shortage
However, the Australian Labour Market Update report also highlights a persistent skills shortage, particularly in the engineering and medical fields, especially in regional areas, leading to difficulty in recruitment.
The latest 2022 Skills Priority List (SPL) released by Jobs and Skills Australia’s predecessor, the National Skills Commission, highlights a tight labour market in Australia that has caused a significant increase in the proportion of occupations in shortage. From 19% in 2021, the shortage has now risen to 31% in 2022, indicating a growing skills gap in the country.
The SPL identifies the top 20 occupations in demand nationally, with caring professions and digital and data occupations particularly affected by shortages.
The report also highlights the importance of upskilling and reskilling workers to meet the changing demands of the labour market. Jobs and Skills Australia recommends that individuals consider training in healthcare, education, and information technology, which are expected to thrive in the coming years.
Employers can also address skills shortages by investing in training and development programs for their employees, as well as offering flexible work arrangements and competitive remuneration packages to attract and retain skilled workers.
The SPL underscores the need for ongoing investment in skills development and training to ensure Australia’s workforce is equipped to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing labour market.
Australia’s Top 20 In-Demand Occupations
Here are the top popular jobs in Australia, according to the 2022 SPL:
- Registered Nurses
- Software and Applications Programmers
- Aged and Disabled Carers
- Child Carers
- Construction Managers
- Motor Mechanics
- Retail Managers
- Chefs
- Generalist Medical Practitioners
- Metal Fitters and Machinists
- ICT Business and Systems Analysts
- Civil Engineering Professionals
- Electricians
- Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teachers
- Contract, Program and Project Administrators
- Advertising and Marketing Professionals
- Physiotherapists
- Gardeners
- Mining Engineers
- Database and Systems Administrators and ICT Security Specialists
The list of occupations in high demand reveals that the tight labour market is affecting traditional industries such as construction and retail and the healthcare and digital sectors. It is concerning that shortages exist in essential caring occupations, such as registered nurses, aged and disabled carers, and childcarers.
Policymakers and industry leaders must acknowledge the need for more significant investment in training and upskilling in these high-demand areas to meet the needs of Australia’s evolving labour market.
Preliminary JSA analysis also suggests that the shortage in some of these occupations is due to people lacking the right technical skills, making it essential to address these skills gaps. The government, education providers, and employers must work together to ensure Australians have the proper training and education to succeed in these high-demand occupations and keep Australia’s economy thriving.
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