According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, skill shortages refer to situations when there is a shortfall in supply of workers with certain skills and employers are unable to fill vacancies without considerable difficulty. These shortages generally refer to hiring difficulties in occupations requiring a significant period of training and/or experience in a specialised field.
Service industries contributed over half of Australia's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2004-5 and employed 7.3 million people (ABS 2006). As such, skill shortages in the employment-intensive services industries can adversely impact on both the efficiency of production and future investment across a large part of the Australian economy.
It is therefore particularly important that we identify the industries that are crying out for keen and able workers as a crucial step in combatting ever-pressing skills crisis.
In May this year, the 'National Skills Needs List' (NSNL) was released. This list identifies trades that are deemed to be in nation-wide skill shortage based on research conducted by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR).
The SkillsOne Top 10: Trades in demand
Agriculture and Horticulture - specifically: Crutcher; Farmhand; Farm Overseer; Floriculture Worker; Gardener; Greenkeeper; Irrigation assistant; Landscaper; Milk Harvester; Nursery Person; Parks and Gardens Tradesperson; Shed Hand; Station Hand; Shearer; Tree surgeon; Wool Classer; Wool Handler; Wool, Hide and Skin Classers
Metals - specifically: Locksmith; Metal Fabricator; Metal Machinist (First Class); Pressure Welder; Sheetmetal Worker (First Class); Welder (First Class)
Hospitality and Food Services - specifically: Butcher, Baker, (Pastry) Cook
Electrical - specifically: Electrical Powerline Tradesperson; Electrician (Special Class); Electronic equipment tradesperson; General Electrician;
Building and Construction - specifically: Cabinetmaker; Carpenter and Joiner; Binder and Finisher; Boat Builder/Repairer; Bricklayer; Fibrous Plasterer; Roof Slater and Tiler; Solid Plasterer; Stonemason; Toolmaker; Wood Machinist (A-Grade)
Aviation - specifically: Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Avionics or Mechanical)
Automotive - specifically: Automotive Electrician; Motor Mechanic; Panel Beater; Vehicle Body Maker; Vehicle Painter; Vehicle Trimmer
Creative and Design - specifically: Picture Framers, Painters, Decorators, Screen Printer; Signwriter; Wall and Floor Tiler
Plumbing and Mechanics - specifically: General Plumber; Fitter; Mechanical Services and Air-Conditioning Plumber; Drainer; Gasfitter; Lift Mechanic; Printing Machinist; Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Mechanic; Roof Plumber; Optical Mechanic
Care/Personal services - specifically: Nurse; Midwife; Teacher (all levels); Hairdresser; Aged/Disabled/Home Care
(Source: the Federal Government's Australian Apprenticeships site).
You just may be guaranteed a solid job if you have serious interest and skills in any of these careers!
