Australian businesses are experiencing ongoing skills shortages, despite the number of apprentices reaching an all-time high.
According to the most recent data from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), apprentices and trainees have increased by almost 17% from the previous year.
The National Skills Commission’s annual report for 2021 reveals that almost half of employers (45%) reported having recruitment difficulty for their most recent vacancies.
The most recent national Skills Priority List found that nearly half (42%) of Technician and Trade occupations are currently in shortage.
Executive Director of the AEN, Gary Workman, said that addressing the disconnect between high apprentice numbers and an ongoing skills shortage was crucial in keeping the lights on for some businesses.
According to the 2022 Australian Bureau of Statistics June survey for ‘Business Conditions and Sentiments’ skill shortages are putting industries relying on trade workers, labourers, and hospitality workers under pressure.
“Apprenticeships are a long-term solution to address skill gaps in the workforce, the current apprenticeship boom needs to be continued to assist with addressing those gaps. Additional measures are also needed to ensure youth have sustainable career options and businesses can continue to build the skills they need,” Mr Workman said.
“The Treasurer is looking for more efficient ways to do things. The obvious place to start would be by ensuring employers are only subsidised for genuine new apprenticeships.”
“These are some of the key issues the government must consider at the September Jobs and Skills Summit.”
National Skills Week’s Chairman Brian Wexham noted that a severe shortage of skilled construction workers was slowing delivery and increasing the cost of home builds, major infrastructure projects and everything in-between.
New South Wales and Victoria are most affected as they are the most populous, and both State Governments continue to ramp up major road, rail and other projects.
Mr Wexham said: “The shortage of skilled construction workers is hampering the delivery of many projects in this country.
“COVID-19 has disrupted building material supply chains over the last two years, increasing the lead-times and costs of materials.
“On top of this, workers have been able to command higher wages and be more selective than ever about their chosen employer.
“Industry consultancy Arcadis has reported construction job vacancies have risen by a massive 80 per cent since late 2019.
“They forecast that by 2023 there will be over 100,000 unfilled roles in the sector.
“More serious still, Arcadis also forecast this will be almost 50 per cent greater than the number of people who are expected to be qualified to fulfill the roles.”
Michael Morrissey, CEO of Brick and Block Careers said Brick and Blocklaying was increasingly being seen as a ‘Trade of Choice’ with greater understanding around the career potential it can lead to and the ongoing demand.
“A qualified Bricklayer can get an early entry into running a subcontracting business, managing their own team, control over their profits and leading the way.
“Brick and Block Careers continues to support the awareness and career pathways Brick and Blocklaying has to offer.
“We aim to fulfil career aspirations of young Australians and job seekers, by providing employment opportunities in Brick and Blocklaying.”
Now moving into its twelfth year, National Skills Week 2022 is being held this year, August 22 to 28, inviting Australians to explore the Universe of Skills on offer through Vocational Education and Training.
A key objective of National Skills Week is to identify and highlight industries with the most in-demand jobs of the future as well as sectors forecast to see the biggest growth in coming years, to ensure Australians can gain the training and education they need to secure those jobs and maintain stable long-term employment.
Mr Wexham said it is critical that school leavers, job seekers, parents and career changers are informed of what the jobs of the future are, and what Australia’s most critical skills shortages and jobs needs are.
“This will ensure our young people, yet to start careers, can gain training and skills in education which is going to secure them a job at the end of that training.
“Further, it will assist in funnelling Australia’s labour market into the training opportunities which are most likely going to lead to their employment i.e. the most in-demand jobs of the future.
Held annually, the vision of National Skills Week is to raise awareness on the diversity of careers which can be realised through vocational education and training, the skills for an economically viable future, and the incredible range of new jobs and skills in demand for the future.
This year’s Week will be centred around the theme of ‘A Universe of Skills’ encouraging people to go beyond their imagination to discover careers, pathways and opportunities in skills and Vocational Education that they may not know about, thought about or even imagined.
“National Skills Week plays a pivotal role in strengthening and communicating the key messages of industry and government in an environment shaped by the fluid nature of skills requirements and ever-evolving technologies,” said Mr Wexham.
“This initiative is designed to achieve real, transformative outcomes for Australian people – to inspire people to undertake active, participative education and training that VET provides resulting in skills that can realise immediate rewards in jobs, success and contribute to building our economy.”
