JOB NUMBERS THAT REALLY COUNT
PASSION for the work should be a deciding factor when it comes to choosing a career but it is also important for jobseekers 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 reveals 141 occupations had a below average unemployment rate in 2017.
These are spread across all industries but most are in health and community services (30 occupations), construction, architecture and design (11), accounting, banking and financial services (10), personal services (9) and education and training (9).
Within education and training, for example, early childhood, primary, secondary and special education teachers all record a below average unemployment rate.
Within health and community services, the list ranges from paramedics to podiatrists to speech pathologists.
Hays Australia managing director Nick Deligiannis says industries with low unemployment rates are typically those with strong demand for highly skilled professionals.
“IT (information technology) is another industry that’s seeing strong demand in many occupations,” he says.
“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.”
Deligiannis says low unemployment rates can 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 says.
“Consider careers in high-skill industries or that require highlyskilled professionals as they are less likely to be automated than low-skill jobs that involve routine and repetitive tasks.
“Remember that continuous upskilling 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.”