Unveiling the 2024 Occupation Shortage List: Insights and Implications for Australia’s Labour Market
Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) has recently released the 2024 Occupation Shortage List (OSL), previously known as the Skills Priority List. This tool outlines occupations facing shortages where employers struggle to fill vacancies or face considerable challenges in finding suitable candidates. The OSL serves as a metric for the Australian labour market providing insights into the occupations experiencing the highest demand and the sectors where skilled labour is most needed. Let’s see what the 2024 Occupation Shortage List have found.
Key Findings from the 2024 Occupation Shortage List
1. Occupations in National Shortage
33% are currently in national shortage. The top five occupations experiencing the most significant shortages are:
- Aged or Disabled Carers
- Primary School Teachers
- Secondary School Teachers
- Truck Drivers
- Electricians
2. Gender and Workforce Diversity
The data reveals an interesting correlation between gender representation and occupation shortages. Those occupations where either men or women make up at least 80% of the workforce are more likely to experience shortages. Whereas the occupations with at least 20% representation from both genders tend to avoid shortages, which suggests that increasing workforce diversity could be a strategic approach to alleviating labour market pressures.
3. Age-Inclusiveness and Labour Shortages
The analysis suggests that age-inclusive employment practices can be an effective strategy for addressing occupational shortages particularly in ageing populations. By promoting the inclusion of older workers, organisations can benefit from their experience, skills, and contributions to the workforce.
4. Employer Recruitment Strategies
73% of employers continued to advertise positions in the same places over the past year. Surprisingly, only 1% of employers adjusted pay as a strategy to attract talented workers. This indicates a reliance on non-remuneration strategies like improving workplace conditions or offering flexible work arrangements.
Implications for Policy and Training
The insights from the OSL are important for shaping future training and funding policies to meet Australia’s labour needs. For example, developing programs that align with high-demand sectors and occupations, promoting gender balance and age inclusiveness in the workforce, and or employers exploring alternative recruitment approaches beyond traditional advertising and salary adjustments, could reduce shortages.
Conclusion
The 2024 Occupation Shortage List (OSL) is a comprehensive resource for understanding the current state of Australia’s labour market. By highlighting occupations in shortage and analysing trends in workforce diversity and recruitment strategies, the OSL offers valuable insights for policymakers, educators, and employers alike. Whether you’re involved in shaping training programs, developing policies, or managing recruitment, the OSL provides the data needed to make informed decisions and address Australia’s evolving labour needs.
Explore the 2024 Occupation Shortage List here to stay informed.
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