Latest news with #skillshortages
The Guardian
5 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Australia has engineers driving Uber – migrants' skills and qualifications need to be recognised now
It's time to reduce barriers so more qualified Australians who started their careers and education overseas can fill skill shortages crippling the economy. Making overseas skills and qualifications recognition faster, fairer and more affordable would enable more people to fully use their skills, unlocking immediate productivity gains. We can realise this productivity boost right now – no need to wait years for trickle-down effects from new infrastructure or large investments. Our campaign, Activate Australia's Skills, has laid out four practical solutions to fix the skills recognition system. First, we need a national governance system for skills recognition, with an ombudsman to make it fair and transparent. There is currently no single body responsible for ensuring the system works as it is intended. Second, we must bridge the gap between our migration and employment recognition systems. It makes no sense that someone deemed skilled enough to migrate here to work in a specific profession is then blocked from working in that field due to disconnected recognition and licensing systems. Third, we need to reduce cost and information barriers. It can cost tens of thousands of dollars for migrants to have their overseas-acquired skills and qualifications recognised here. And that's if you're actually able to navigate the complex system of 77 assessing authorities across 650 occupations. We need more financial support and clear, centralised information for applicants. Finally, we must establish career gateways – local employment hubs with navigators – to help migrants get recognised. These hubs would be located in areas with high migrant populations. Unlike other services focused on unemployment, the hubs would address underemployment, supporting people working below their skill level to get into their professions again. There are more than 620,000 permanent migrants in Australia unable to work to their full qualification level. Two-thirds of these workers came through Australia's skilled migration program, meaning we specifically selected them for their valuable skills. Instead, we've got engineers driving Ubers while those very professions face critical shortages. Getting these workers back into their fields would benefit migrants themselves, along with the 90% of leaders who report that their businesses are experiencing skills shortages. It would also benefit everyday Australians by easing shortages such as the 10,000 childcare workers needed or 200 GP clinics that close every year. There is also an economic incentive to the tune of $9bn additional GPD per year over the next 10 years if we better harnessed the skills of migrants already here. The main concern people raise when they hear about reforming skills recognition is what it means for Australia's high standards. These reforms are not about lower standards. We're talking about addressing barriers that are unrelated to people's skills: unfair assessments, excessive fees and unaccountable licensing bodies that create unnecessary obstacles. This will not reduce the quality of professional practice. In fact, making the system more efficient and transparent will help uphold standards. What sets these productivity reforms apart is that they're ready to go. They don't require years of negotiation or billions in spending. They require leadership, coordination and a commitment to fairness, but would deliver benefits quicker than just about any solution on the table. The government has called for bold ideas to boost productivity. This is one of them. It's simple, fair and already backed by more than 100 organisations across business, unions and civil society. It's time to activate Australia's skills for the benefit of all. Other countries have already shown the way. Countries such as Canada, Germany, Sweden, and the UK have implemented similar reforms and are now reaping the productivity benefits from fairer and faster skills recognition. Violet Roumeliotis is the CEO of Settlement Services International, an organisation supporting people from diverse backgrounds to reach their potential in Australia
Yahoo
09-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Europe's job market: Which sector has the most job postings? Top 20 revealed
The job market in Europe is evolving. Technological innovation and changing needs are transforming many sectors. Policymakers are calling for urgent action to address labour and skills shortages across the continent. Job posting data offers a clear picture of current hiring trends. So, which jobs are in highest demand in Europe? Euronews Business takes a closer look at the top 20 sectors based on job postings on global hiring platform Indeed, covering the UK, Germany, France, and the Netherlands, averaged over the March to May 2025 period. Management, sales, and installation & maintenance dominate the list Management, sales, and installation & maintenance consistently rank in the top five across all four countries, making them the most in-demand roles in Europe. Installation and maintenance jobs constitute 14.5% of job postings in Germany (the highest share in that country), 9% in the Netherlands (second), 6.9% in France (fourth), and 5.7% in the UK (fifth). Maintenance workers perform a wide range of repairs on infrastructure, equipment, and tools across many industries. They help ensure smooth operations by inspecting and servicing machinery and facilities. 'Because every industry needs maintenance workers, it can be a reliable career choice for you,' Indeed notes. Installation technicians are responsible for the proper and timely setup of systems and devices for both businesses and residential customers. They are also in high demand across many sectors. Management roles account for 10.2% of job postings in the UK (the second highest share), followed by 10.1% in the Netherlands (the highest), 7.6% in France (third), and 6.4% in Germany (fourth). Sales represent 9.9% of job postings in Germany (second highest), followed by 9.2% in France (the highest), 8.5% in the Netherlands (third), and 6.7% in the UK (third). Indeed emphasises that most companies rely on skilled sales teams to generate revenue and drive business success. Food preparation and service also show high shares in three countries: 10.4% in the UK (the highest among all sectors), 7.8% in France (second place), and 5.9% in the Netherlands. There is no data for Germany, as this sector is not included in the dataset. Administrative assistance is also in high demand. Its shares in job postings are: 7.2% in Germany, 4.7% in the UK, 4.4% in the Netherlands and 3.6% in France. Related Educated but still unemployed: How does unemployment vary among university graduates across Europe? Can you afford to live here? Europe's cities ranked by rent-to-salary ratio Software development ranks sixth on average Across the four-country average, software development ranks sixth, with a 3.9% share of job postings. Germany leads with 5%, followed by the Netherlands at 3.8%, France at 3.5%, and the UK at 3.1%. Software development is defined by Indeed as 'the activity concerned with creating, establishing, implementing, and designing computer programmes.' 'Understanding the software development process is useful if you're interested in an IT career,' the platform advises. Other key sectors with over 3% share Four other sectors with a four-country average above 3.5% are cleaning & sanitation, retail, education & instruction, and nursing. Accounting, production & manufacturing, and construction also have average shares between 3% and 3.5% across the four countries. Looking at country-specific data highlights how demand varies across different labour markets. In the UK, personal care & home health ranks fourth with a 6.3% share. Education & instruction also holds a significant position, ranking sixth at 5.3%. In Germany, alongside other high-demand roles, IT operations & helpdesk holds a 4.3% share of job postings. In general, technical and administrative roles dominate the list in Germany. Related Skilled workers wanted in Europe: But is the EU's Blue Card attractive enough? Wage growth in Europe: Which jobs have seen the biggest increases? Healthcare roles also in high demand in France In France, there is a diverse mix of in-demand roles, including a high number of postings for cleaning roles (5.4%). The healthcare sector also shows significant need, with nursing at 4.2%, personal care & home health at 4%, and physicians & surgeons at 3.6%. Nursing ranks fourth in the Netherlands Nursing accounts for 8.3% of job postings in the Netherlands, making it the fourth-highest sector. Physicians and surgeons have a 2.4% share, highlighting the strong demand for healthcare roles, similar to trends seen in France. Childcare also stands out with a 1.9% share, representing a uniquely high demand in the Netherlands compared to the other four countries. Related Eurozone unemployment stays at a record low despite economic hurdles 'Now is the moment to really embrace those tools': LinkedIn's top tips to futureproof your career Emerging AI, tech and green roles New roles are also emerging, though their share in job postings is not yet clear. 'We anticipate that AI/GenAI, cybersecurity, green energy, and biotechnology will produce new top-earning job titles over the next 5–10 years,' Pawel Adrjan, Director of Economic Research at Indeed, told Euronews Business. Positions such as AI ethicist, GenAI engineer, climate data analyst, and key sustainability roles are gaining traction and are expected to move into the top salary brackets as demand for specialised expertise grows. Wage growth in the 25 largest occupations across these four countries also offers valuable insight into labour market trends. For those curious about the highest-paying jobs in Europe, this report demonstrates the top earners across key sectors. 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Yahoo
08-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Reason Gen Z are choosing trades
High school graduates are fending off AI with an increasing appetite for trades qualifications, an apprenticeship charity says. Apprenticeships Are Us is a registered not-for-profit that helps high schoolers and disadvantaged youth work through their training. The charity says more young people are motivated to not be at the mercy of artificial intelligence. 'Our apprentice employment managers are reporting that many new apprentices are choosing this pathway because the demand for skilled trades offers long-term job security and stability,' charity general manager Phil Cooksey said. 'Gen Z has witnessed the rapid evolution of AI in real time and understand that many office-based or traditional professional roles could be transformed or even made redundant,' he said. Economic security and the high cost of living were also pushing more people to trades, he said, as Apprenticeships Are Us clients had more than doubled in the space of three years. 'Tradies in almost every industry are needed Australia-wide due to ongoing skills shortages, which means they often have the flexibility to name their price,' Mr Cooksey said. According to a 2024 Monash University study, 70 per cent of 15 to 19-year-olds plan to go to university. Among teenagers planning on doing an apprenticeship, 15 per cent of males were considering a trade, 9.2 per cent of gender-diverse young people were eyeing an apprenticeship, and 4.1 per cent of females wanted to do a trade. Apprentice wages, the stigma of rejecting university, and workplace factors persist as major dissuaders. Master Builders Australia estimates Australia needs an extra 130,000 tradespeople to reach the government's national target of 1.2 million new homes by mid-2029. But AI advances were starting to persuade some high schoolers to pick up the tools, Mr Cooksey said. 'AI may soon replace a customer service representative, but there's still no robot that can lift your car bonnet and fix your gearbox or climb a roof to lay tiles. 'We're receiving daily inquiries from individuals eager to start apprenticeships in fields like carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, machinery operation, and even software development.' In a major report this week, the Productivity Commission opposed tough new AI regulations being considered by the federal government until gaps in current laws could be pinpointed. The commission conservatively estimates AI could add more than $116bn to Australia's economy over the next decade in a productivity boost larger than the introduction of the internet or mobile phones.
News.com.au
08-08-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Teens seek tools over office jobs as AI fears rise, charity says
High school graduates are fending off AI with an increasing appetite for trades qualifications, an apprenticeship charity says. Apprenticeships Are Us is a registered not-for-profit that helps high schoolers and disadvantaged youth work through their training. The charity says more young people are motivated to not be at the mercy of artificial intelligence. 'Our apprentice employment managers are reporting that many new apprentices are choosing this pathway because the demand for skilled trades offers long-term job security and stability,' charity general manager Phil Cooksey said. 'Gen Z has witnessed the rapid evolution of AI in real time and understand that many office-based or traditional professional roles could be transformed or even made redundant,' he said. Economic security and the high cost of living were also pushing more people to trades, he said, as Apprenticeships Are Us clients had more than doubled in the space of three years. 'Tradies in almost every industry are needed Australia-wide due to ongoing skills shortages, which means they often have the flexibility to name their price,' Mr Cooksey said. According to a 2024 Monash University study, 70 per cent of 15 to 19-year-olds plan to go to university. Among teenagers planning on doing an apprenticeship, 15 per cent of males were considering a trade, 9.2 per cent of gender-diverse young people were eyeing an apprenticeship, and 4.1 per cent of females wanted to do a trade. Apprentice wages, the stigma of rejecting university, and workplace factors persist as major dissuaders. Master Builders Australia estimates Australia needs an extra 130,000 tradespeople to reach the government's national target of 1.2 million new homes by mid-2029. But AI advances were starting to persuade some high schoolers to pick up the tools, Mr Cooksey said. 'AI may soon replace a customer service representative, but there's still no robot that can lift your car bonnet and fix your gearbox or climb a roof to lay tiles. 'We're receiving daily inquiries from individuals eager to start apprenticeships in fields like carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, machinery operation, and even software development.' In a major report this week, the Productivity Commission opposed tough new AI regulations being considered by the federal government until gaps in current laws could be pinpointed. The commission conservatively estimates AI could add more than $116bn to Australia's economy over the next decade in a productivity boost larger than the introduction of the internet or mobile phones.
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Grim reason Aussies are being rejected for jobs: 'Scared and frustrated'
A Brisbane woman has been struggling to find work for more than a year despite having decades of experience under her belt. Job seekers over the age of 50 are being increasingly overlooked, new research has found, despite current skills shortages. Fiona Cootes has worked in events management for more than 20 years, has built events and led teams, but has found herself rejected from dozens of jobs. The 58-year-old mum of three told Yahoo Finance she has been looking for work since June last year, when her previous government contract role came to an end. 'I've only had one interview this year and as time goes on and on and on, I'm just going, am I still employable? I'm only 58 and retirement is 67,' she said. RELATED Work from home warning after Aussie dad's request denied in new ruling Centrelink's 'balancing' move could provide cash boost or expose debt Common neighbour problem plaguing Aussie houses 'I've got so much to offer and I'm very passionate, energetic, positive and I'm just wanting to add value to an organisation. 'And just constantly getting nothing back from any of the applications is just soul-destroying. I don't want to feel like I'm redundant, and I've never felt old in my life, but now I'm feeling as though I'm old and not wanted.' Cootes said she had all the relevant qualifications for the events roles she has applied for, but she's been unable to get her foot in the door. She has had four interviews for jobs over the last year, with one employer telling her she missed out on the role because another candidate was a 'better culture fit'. Cootes said she has had to dig into savings meant for her retirement and may have to work for longer than initially expected when she does find a job to make up for lost savings. She said she hadn't planned to retire until she was 65. 'I'm starting to feel scared and frustrated to think that I might be unemployable, and it's heartbreaking because I have so much to offer, I've got so much passion, I've got so much to contribute,' she said. 'It's just soul-destroying, and it's hard to stay hopeful.'Employers sidelining older and younger workers in troubling shift New research from the Australian Human Resources Institute and Australian Human Rights Commission found nearly one in four HR professionals classified workers aged 51 to 55 as 'old', which is well before Australia's retirement age of 67. This marked a sharp increase from 10 per cent in 2023. Despite 55 per cent of organisations reporting 'hard-to-fill' vacancies, just 56 per cent said they were open to hiring workers aged 50 to 64 'to a large extent'. This dropped to 28 per cent of those 65 and over, with 18 per cent saying they wouldn't hire this age group at all. About 28 per cent said a barrier to hiring older workers was that they had 'too much' experience. Australian HR Institute CEO Sarah McCann-Bartlett said the findings pointed to an evolving perception of age in the workplace. 'In particular, the age at which employers begin to classify workers as 'older' appears to be shifting downwards,' she said. 'This is important as it suggests that more workers could be impacted by the implicit bias shown against older workers by some employers.' On the flipside, the research also found employers were hesitant to hire younger workers, with just 41 per cent open to recruiting jobseekers aged 15 to 25 'to a large extent'. Older and younger workers can be 'real advantage for businesses' Robert Fitzgerald AM, Age Discrimination Commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission, said the findings highlighted the need for sustained action against ageism. 'Older and younger workers can be a real advantage for businesses. Age-diverse teams bring different life experiences to the table and are better at solving problems,' he said. Cootes said she plans to continue applying for jobs and has received advice on her CV. She now only includes the last 10 years of her employment history, and she has made tweaks to make her appear younger on paper. Cootes has urged employers to recognise the value older workers bring to the workforce. 'We're a pot of gold. We might not be early in our careers, but we're still in our career. We have passion, we have purpose, we are capable, we've got life skills, we've got life stories and we want to contribute,' she said. 'Don't forget about us. Don't overlook us. We're not done.'Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data
