Australia facing workforce shortage; more than 150 professions hit

Australian Employment Minister Stuart Robert is worried that more than 150 occupations in Australia are facing skill shortages, most commonly for technicians, trade workers, machinery operators, drivers and carers. Baristas, traffic controllers and the technology sector are in dire need of more job seekers. 

Contrary to the views of proficient economists who predicted that the unemployment figures would increase, the unemployment rates in July dropped from 4.9% to 4.6% 

Robert also added, “There’s over a quarter of a million jobs going … we’ve seen unemployment come screaming down with 130,000 more Australians employed now than before Covid started,”. He also warned that the improvements seen in the unemployment statistics could be deceptive and can witness a surge or jump around in the next few months.

Robert also pleaded with Australians to use the Job Trainer Scheme provided by the federal government. Aged care, Disability care and early childhood care are some of the popular Job Trainer courses which are also connected to the “key growth care sector”. This will help Australians to acquire or hone skills which would also help them in getting jobs. 

As the seasonal worker programs in Australia came to a standstill due to the rise in Covid-19 cases, workforce shortages are being faced by the agricultural sector. The conditions of Aussie farmers are getting precarious day by day.

Agriculture Minister David Littleproud also admitted that farmers and agricultural sectors are rumbling under workforce constraints but appreciated their efforts to keep the country well fed. Commencement of the Agricultural Visa system will start from 30th September 2021 and will be welcoming skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled workers from various countries.