Key findings of the 2020 Australian Jobs report show that employment for women and young people is rebounding strongly from the economic impact of Covid-19.
Launching the annual report, the Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Senator Michaelia Cash, said it was clear that the pandemic has radically affected Australia’s labour market.
Need to rethink training and career pathways
“We know this year has been tough for everyone, but there are promising signs of employment recovery now beginning to emerge,” Cash said.
“The Australian Jobs report shows us that the labour market has, and is, undergoing significant changes, and job seekers may need to rethink training and career pathways.”
The report is the National Skills Commission’s detailed guide to the Australian labour market. It includes information about industries and occupations as well as states, territories and regions. The publication highlights trends in the Australian labour market and provides guidance about searching for a job and the skills that employers value.
Prospects for women and youth are far better
“What really stands out in this year’s report is that a large cohort of Australians will likely need to update or change their skill set to stay competitive in the labour market,” Cash observed.
Among the key findings is that many labour market indicators are now improving since the low that was hit in May 2020. Encouragingly, employment for women and youth, who were initially affected the most, is rebounding quite strongly.
Health Care and Social Assistance (aged and disability carers, registered nurses, and child carers) is Australia’s largest employing industry and is an area proving to be the most resilient.
Variety of occupations defined as resilient
Demand is expected to continue for this industry, given the pandemic and Australia’s ageing population. Females comprise 78% of this workforce.
Occupations identified as resilient throughout the pandemic and that are expected to experience more growth are in groups such as: Professionals (speech professionals and audiologists, other medical practitioners and midwives), Community and Personal Service Workers (aged and disabled carers, security officers and guards) and Machinery Operators and Drivers (agricultural, forestry and horticultural plant operators and delivery drivers).
Post-school study is highly advantageous, the report says. The data shows that in Health Care and Social Assistance, for example, more than 80% of employees have a post-school qualification and carers and aides are the top emerging occupations, with more than 50% of these workers holding a certificate III or higher VET qualification.
