THE WORKERS MOST IN DEMAND WITH EMPLOYERS RIGHT NOW
JUST one of the top 10 jobs being advertised now is in the healthcare field, with IT, sales and business administration workers also in demand.
The Federal Government Jobs Hub data is sourced from several online job boards but does not list all vacancies available in Australia, with some employers using their own websites to advertise positions, while others are advertised in print and social media.
ACS, the professional association for IT workers, reports software and application programmers and computer network professionals have long been in demand and forecasts they will continue to be so throughout the COVID19 pandemic and beyond.
Chief executive Andrew Johnson says it is not just the shift to working and studying at home that is creating immediate demand but businesses and governments needing to offer more digital services so people can complete more tasks without leaving home.
He says in an ideal world, employers want to hire jobseekers who already hold a bachelor degree in computer science or information systems, but there is an opportunity for unqualified candidates to fill voids.
“It’s possible to move straight into a tech role, but you’ll need to have to demonstrate adaptability,” he says.
“If you’re a younger person who has dabbled in coding, but your expertise is in some other area (for example), you may be able to. If you want to go into a technology role from a non-technology background, it’s a minimum of 12 months of study at a certificate IV or diploma level, such as a certificate in networking.”
He says many education institutions including ACS offer qualifications, some available at no cost to students.
“You can be doing that online now and knock it over as quick as six to 12 months,” he says.
“Absolutely now is the time to invest (in your future career).”
Hiring platform Shortlyster chief executive and founder
Rudy Crous says unlike in the global financial crisis, when advertised positions declined across the board, there are many sectors that are recruiting skilled workers now more than ever.
“Skills are transferable,” he says.
“(Jobs Hub) is a great initiative to try and catch where jobs are posted and where candidates go to get work, but it doesn’t solve the problem of helping candidates to be matched to roles that they might not have considered before.
“A lot of people furloughed, retrenched and laid off have never been in the market to have to think about that.”