Demand for Skilled Workers

It seems that for Australia to maintain a competitive economy, more skilled workers are needed.  

A failure to match education, immigration and training programs with future labour requirements is leading the country towards a second skills shortage which will restrict economic growth.

Whilst the GFC had little effect on our employment market, it did seem to ease the pressure on wages [increases]. However as we come out the other side we can’t rest on our laurels.

Further, we are hearing from industry leaders who are telling us that new infrastructure projects are likely to face big delays unless something is done to increase the number of skilled workers available.

These shortages are seen to be more immediate in the next few years in sectors such as healthcare, education, mining, and engineering.

The head of the Australian Constructors Association has said that skill shortages have threatened the commercial and residential building sectors. Often it is the trades’ skills that receive the most attention, but it’s important to realise that high level [technical] and specialist project management skills too are in demand.

And it’s these that are absolutely essential to the development of those projects still on the drawing board. Therefore companies need to better utilise their current staff otherwise Australia will continue to look overseas to fill these roles!