Infrastructure projects boost to jobs market
NEW infrastructure projects and an ageing workforce are opening up the Australian job market, with 16.2 per cent more job ads on SEEK this February than last year.
The good news for jobseekers is driven largely by ad growth in mining, resources and energy ( up 45 per cent year on year), farming, animal and conservation ( 32 per cent), information and communication technology ( 26 per cent), engineering ( 25 per cent) and trades and services ( 25 per cent).
All states and territories experienced annual job ad growth, led by Tasmania ( 34.9 per cent), Victoria ( 19.1 per cent) and Western Australia ( 18.9 per cent).
Queensland was up 16.3 per cent overall with the mining, resources and energy ( 62 per cent), engineering ( 56 per cent) and the information and communication technology ( 36 per cent) sectors leading the way.
SEEK Australia and New Zealand managing director Kendra Banks said much of the growth was a result of un- precedented levels of government investment in infrastructure.
More than $ 34 billion of engineering construction work was done in the September quarter across both public and private sectors, Australian Bureau of Statistics data revealed.
“There are a number of key infrastructure projects underway across Australia, including the Perth- to- Forrestfield Airport Rail Link,” Ms Banks said.
“We are seeing particularly strong demand for engineering skills in Western Australia ... and job growth in this sector is expected to continue.”
Aurecon civil engineer Penny Nugent, based in Brisbane, said she had noticed increasing numbers of engineering jobs since she entered the sector through the company’s graduate program five years ago.
“The demand has definitely increased,” she said.
“It’s an incredibly exciting time to become an engineer. You have the opportunity to lead change and to leave a legacy.”