Seek out skills in demand

Check the stats to make a smart career choice

THERE is no doubt passion should be a deciding factor when it comes to choosing a career but it is also important for job seekers to research employment markets and ensure they are making a considered choice.

One way to do this is to check the unemployment rates of potential occupations.

Those with low unemployment are more likely to have demand for skilled workers and therefore more opportunities.

The Australian Government’s Australian Jobs 2018 report revealed 141 occupations had a below-average unemployment rate in 2017.

These were spread across all industries but most were in health and community services (30 occupations), construction, architecture and design (11), accounting, banking and financial services (10), personal services (nine) and education and training.

Within education and training, for example, early childhood, primary, secondary and special education teachers all recorded a below-average unemployment rate.

Within health and community services, the list ranged from paramedics to podiatrists to speech pathologists.

Hays Australia managing director Nick Deligiannis said industries with low unemployment rates were typically those with strong demand for highly skilled professionals.

“IT (information technology) is another industry that’s seeing strong demand in many

‘‘ IT’S ADVANTAGEOUS TO PURSUE AN OCCUPATION WITH A BELOW-AVERAGE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE BECAUSE YOUR SKILLS WILL BE IN DEMAND BY EMPLOYERS WHO ARE FACING A SHORTAGE OF PEOPLE WITH THE EXPERTISE THEY NEED.

NICK DELIGIANNIS

occupations,” he said.

“It’s advantageous to pursue an occupation with a belowaverage unemployment rate because your skills will be in demand by employers who are facing a shortage of people with the expertise they need.”

Mr Deligiannis said low unemployment rates could be caused by growth in the industry or a shortage of people pursuing

a career in that particular field.

“In either case, the result is an existing pool of labour that doesn’t contain enough people

with the skills certain occupations require,” he said.

“Consider careers in highskill industries or that require highly skilled professionals as

they are less likely to be automated than low-skill jobs that involve routine and repetitive tasks. Remember that continuous up-skilling is a requirement

in today’s world of work to keep your skills current and employable, regardless of the profession you choose or your level of seniority.”