Want the good news? All industries in Australia, with the exception of financial services, are still hiring, according to Simon Meyer, Managing Director of Michael Page International, Australia.
The bad news, however, is that they’re not taking just anyone, you need the right qualifications, and the jobs aren’t always right around the corner. So, where are these jobs and who is best suited to them?
Mine, all mine
Unsurprisingly, the mining industry is still hiring heavily. “The mining and resources boom is in full swing, and geographically, the two stand-out states are Western Australia and Queensland,” says Meyer.
“The thing that makes it tricky, and why the demand is so high, is because the locations are not city based. People are less inclined to move themselves and their families. That’s what is driving the demand, sometimes the regional locations don’t suit people.”
But if you happen to be an engineer, the opportunities are many and often lucrative. The Clarius Skills Index, which analyses skilled labour in 20 employment categories, reports that Australia needs 7000 more engineers just to fill the jobs available now, and Australia Jobs 2011, a report published by the Federal Government, reports that the number of jobs for mining engineers grew 157 per cent in the last five years.
These jobs can be in the mine itself, or to do with the infrastructure associated with the mine. As well as engineering, building and trade roles, the mining and resources boom has increased demand for associated professions, including project managers and human resource professionals.
More: Go West: The mining boom in WA continues to draw workers from across the country
It pays to care
If you don’t fancy a giving up the bright lights of the city, there’s huge growth predicted closer to home, in health and community services.
Our ageing population has increased demand for aged and disabled carers, with Australian Jobs 2011 showing job growth in this area has increased by 102 per cent in the last five years (compared with an average across industries of just 13 per cent).
The report also predicts that health care and social assistance will be the industry with the highest employment growth by 2015–2016, with professions such as nurses and midwives, allied health professionals, psychologists, social workers and counsellors all coming under this umbrella. (And another growth area associated with our ageing population? Funeral workers.)
Child care workers, too, are in demand. The Federal Government has recently increased the staff-to-child ratios in child care centres, as well as declaring that child care workers will soon be required to hold a Certificate III qualification. These changes, combined with the double income family becoming the norm, are increasing demand for child care workers as more women go back to work, sooner, after having a baby.
Think green
More companies will be greening-up their procedures following the introduction of the carbon tax, creating jobs for those with green energy skills and knowledge. People with knowledge around environmental management, design, management and manufacturing, will be needed as our resources focus shifts to renewable energy.
Business analyst firm IBISWorld even predicts that organic farming will be the industry with the highest percentage of employment growth by 2013–2014.
More: Working for the greater good
And the most obvious growth area? Digital. “Probably one of the fastest growing areas, across all sorts of sectors, is the emergence of digital, and a focus on the online channel,” says Meyer. “The Australian business communities are still at a very early stage in terms of developing talent with expertise in these areas.” Build your practical IT knowledge for a solid and transferable skill set.
Thinking of starting your own business? Why not visit our small business section for some ideas, hints and tips.
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