Geelong Region
Skill Shortages Report
October 2011
Vol 2
Skill Shortage Survey Background
In August 2011, the second annual survey of skill shortages as reported by Geelong regional employers was carried out.
The survey aims to assist with a better understanding of the range and extent of skill shortages that employers “have, are or expect” to have difficulty filling.
Information collected through the survey will be used in a number of ways.
· To inform regional education and training organisations planning for the future.
· To assist in developing a strategic direction for growing Geelong’s future industry sectors.
· To inform a range of workforce assistance initiatives for employers such as skilled migration.
A questionnaire was distributed by mail and electronically to employers across the Region. (City of Greater Geelong, Surf Coast Shire, Colac Otway Shire, Golden Plains Shire and Borough of Queenscliffe).
Approximately, 1,700 questionnaires were distributed directly, with many more distributed electronically through local networks. Further information on the methodology used to compile this report is located on page 15 of this report.
The skilled vacancies reported by employers have been coded against the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australian Standard of Industrial Classification (ANZSIC), 2006 and the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO), 2006.
Executive Summary
· A total of 133 businesses reported one or more occupations that were, are or are expected to be in shortage in 2012. These positions include full-time and part-time positions for skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled occupations.
· Employers reported difficulty filling 261 positions during the past year - 2010.
· Employers reported 318 positions as “existing” shortages.
· Employers reported 382 positions that are “anticipated” to be in shortage during 2012.
· In total 700 positions were identified as being “existing” and/or “anticipated” shortages.
Shortages by Industry Sector
· Of the 700 “existing” or “anticipated” shortages reported by regional employers, nearly half fall within the Health Care and Social Assistance industry sector (320 positions or 46%).
· A further 97 positions or 14% are in the Manufacturing Sector whilst 54 positions or 8% are in the Education and Training Sector.
Shortages by Employing Sector
· Of the 318 skill shortages that employers reported as being “current or existing”, 272 positions or 86% are for skilled or semi-skilled occupations that fall within ANZSCO codes 1-4. The remaining 46 positions or 14% are for occupations that are semi-skilled or unskilled and fall within ANZSCO codes 5-8.
· Of the 382 skill shortages that employers expect to have difficulty filling in 2012 (including positions that remain unfilled) 317 or 83% are for skilled or semi-skilled occupations that fall within ANZSCO codes 1-4. The remaining 65 positions or 17% are for occupations that are semi-skilled or unskilled and fall within ANZSCO codes 5-8.
· Of the 318 “existing” skill shortages reported by regional employers, the Technical and Trade Sector accounted for 106 positions (33%), the Professional Sector accounted for 85 positions (27%) and the Community and Personal Service Sector accounted for 71 positions (22%).
Technical and Trade Sector:
- Food Trades Workers (30 positions)
- Automotive and Engineering Trades (26 positions)
- Construction Trade Workers (23 positions)
Professional Occupation Sector
- Health Professionals (36 positions)
- Education Professionals (20 positions)
Community and Personal Service Sector
- Carers and Aides (30 positions)
- Health and Welfare Support workers (19 positions)
· Of the 382 “anticipated” skill shortages reported by regional employers for 2012, there is a notable increase in the number of shortages for occupations within the Professional Sector, 199 positions (52%). There is ongoing demand for occupations in the Community & Personal Service Sector, 62 positions (16%) and Technical & Trades Sector, 53 positions (14%).
Professional Occupation Sector
- Health Professionals (161 positions)
- Education Professionals (18 positions)
Community and Personal Service Sector
- Health and Welfare Support workers (43 positions)
- Carers and Aides (14 positions)
Technical and Trades Sector:
- Automotive and Engineering Trades Workers (23 positions)
- Food Trades Workers (14 positions)
Occupations in Shortage
The most frequently reported occupations “currently” experiencing skill shortages includes:
· Skilled and Semi Skilled Occupations (ANZSCO 1-4):
- Nurses Div 1 – Various specialties (20 positions)
- Knife Hands/Butchers (20 positions)
- Personal Care Assistants - Aged Care (12 positions)
- Support Workers - Disability (11 positions)
- Welders (10 positions)
- Teachers - Various (10 positions)
- Mechanics - Various (10 positions)
- Crowd Controllers (10 positions)
- University Lecturer (7 positions)
- Childcare Educator – Qualified (7 positions)
- Wait Staff (7 positions)
· Semi-Skilled or Unskilled Occupations: (ANZSCO 5-8)
- Labourers (10 positions)
- Truck drivers (10 positions)
The most frequently reported occupations “expected” to experience skill shortages in 2012 includes:
· Skilled and Semi Skilled Occupations: (ANZSCO 1-4):
- Nurse Div 1 – Various (132 positions)
- Enrolled Nurse (28 positions)
- Support Workers Disability (11 positions)
- GPs (10 positions)
- Knife Hand/Butcher (10 positions)
- Teachers – Various (9 Positions)
- University Lecturers (7 Positions)
· Semi-Skilled and Unskilled Occupations: (ANZSCO 5-8)
- Cleaners (18 positions)
- Truck Drivers (8 positions)
Geelong Region Skill Shortages by Industry Classification
as reported by regional businesses
Skill Shortage Positions(1)(2)
Past 12 Current Current &
ANZSIC Classification Months Current Anticipated Anticipated
2010 2011 2012 Anticipated % Share
Industry Group
A Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing 21 21 6 27 3.9%
B Mining 0 0 0 0 0.0%
C Manufacturing 31 62 35 97 13.9%
D Electricity, Gas Water and Waste Services 2 1 2 3 0.4%
E Construction 10 14 10 24 3.4%
F Wholesale Trade 0 2 0 2 0.3%
G Retail Trade 23 21 13 34 4.9%
H Accommodation and Food Services 17 19 10 29 4.1%
I Transport, Postal and Warehousing 10 8 8 16 2.3%
J Information, Media and Telecommunications 7 8 10 18 2.6%
K Financial and Insurance Services 3 1 5 6 0.9%
L Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services 2 1 3 4 0.6%
M Professional, Scientific and Technical Services 5 27 5 32 4.6%
N Administrative and Support Services 0 1 0 1 0.1%
O Public Administration and Safety 13 14 2 16 2.3%
P Education and Training 42 36 18 54 7.7%
Q Health Care and Social Assistance 57 71 249 320 45.7%
R Arts and Recreation Services 0 4 0 4 0.6%
S Other Services 18 7 6 13 1.9%
Total 261 318 382 700 100.0%
Source: City of Greater Geelong, October 2011. ANZSIC: Australian Bureau of Statistics: Australian and New Zealand Standard Industry Classification. (1) Refers to full time and part time positions. (2) Refers to positions that employers anticipate will remain unfilled from 2011 or will emerge in 2012. Includes vacancies for paid positions only
Geelong Region Skill Shortages by Occupation Classification
as reported by regional businesses(1)(2)
Skill Shortages
ANZSCO Structure Groups Last Year Current Anticipated
2010 2011 2012
1. Managers 4 10 3
11 Chief Executive, General Managers and Legislators 1 0 0
12 Farmers and Farm Managers 0 2 2
13 Specialist Managers 3 7 1
14 Hospitality, Retail and Service Managers 0 1 0
2. Professionals 80 85 199
21 Arts and Media Professionals 0 0 0
22 Business, Human Resource and Marketing Professionals 7 11 9
23 Design, Engineering, Science and Transport Professionals 11 13 8
24 Education Professionals 20 20 18
25 Health Professionals 30 36 161
26 ICT Professionals 2 0 0
27 Legal, Social and Welfare Professionals 10 5 3
3. Technicians and Trades Workers 68 106 53
31 Engineering, ICT and Science Technicians 3 6 2
32 Automotive and Engineering Trades Workers 17 26 23
33 Construction Trades Workers 22 23 7
34 Electrotechnology and Telecommunications Trades Workers 5 7 4
35 Food Trades Workers 12 30 14
36 Skilled Animal and Horticultural Workers 2 4 2
39 Other Technicians and Trades Workers 7 10 1
4. Community and Personal Service Workers 62 71 62
41 Health and Welfare Support Workers 12 19 43
42 Carers and Aides 31 30 14
43 Hospitality Workers 5 7 2
44 Protective Service Workers 8 10 0
45 Sports and Personal Service Workers 6 5 3
Geelong Region Skill Shortages by Occupation Classification (………continued)
Skill Shortages
Last Year Current Anticipated
ANZSCO Structure Groups 2010 2011 2012
5. Clerical and Administrative Workers 1 5 13
51 Office Managers and Program Administrators 0 0 0
52 Personal Assistants and Secretaries 0 2 0
53 General Clerical Workers 0 0 0
54 Inquiry Clerks and Receptionists 0 0 0
55 Numerical Clerks 0 1 5
56 Clerical and Clerical Support Workers 1 1 5
59 Other Clerical and Administrative workers 0 1 3
6. Sales Workers 4 5 16
61 Sales Representatives and Agents 3 2 6
62 Sales Assistants and Salespersons 1 3 6
63 Sales Support Workers 0 0 4
7. Machinery Operators and Drivers 19 22 13
71 Machine Stationary Plant Operators 7 11 2
72 Mobile Plant Operators 0 0 3
73 Road and Rail Drivers 12 11 8
74 Storepersons 0 0 0
8. Labourers 23 14 23
81 Cleaners and Laundry Workers 10 3 18
82 Construction and Mining Labourers 1 0 0
83 Factory Process Workers 10 10 0
84 Farm, Forestry and Garden Workers 1 1 0
85 Food Preparation Assistants 0 0 5
89 Other Miscellaneous Labourers 1 0 0
Total: 261 318 382
Source: City of Greater Geelong, October 2011. ANZSCO: Australian Bureau of Statistics: Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations. (1) Refers to full time and part time positions. (2) Refers to positions that employers anticipate will remain unfilled from 2011 or will emerge in 2012. Includes vacancies for paid positions only
Geelong Region Skill Shortages by Detailed Occupation Group
As reported by regional businesses(1)(2)
Skill Shortages
Current Anticipated
ANZSCO Structure Groups 2011 2012
1. Managers
11 Chief Executive, General Managers and Legislators 0 0
12 Farmers and Farm Managers 2 2
Farm Manager 2 2
13 Specialist Managers 7 1
Tank Maintenance Manager 1 1
Marketing Manager 2 0
Finance Manager 1 0
Project Manager 1 0
Timber Industry 2 0
14 Hospitality, Retail and Service Managers 1 0
Service Manager (Electrician) 1 0
Total Managers 10 3
2. Professionals
21 Arts and Media Professionals 0 0
22 Business, Human Resource and Marketing Professionals 11 9
Accountant 0 1
Valuer (Certified Practising) 1 1
Librarian & Information Services 6 6
Sales Executive - Advertising 1 1
Sales Representative - Telecommunications Solutions 1 0
Sales Representative - Technical 2 0
23 Design, Engineering, Science and Transport Professionals 13 8
Architect 2 0
Statutory Planner 1 0
Engineer 4 1
Engineer (Civil Structural) 2 3
Engineer Chemical 0 1
Engineer IT 0 1
Food Technology Scientist 1 1
Chemist (Graduate) 2 0
Environmental Technologist 1 0
Graphic Artist (Senior) 0 1
Geelong Region Skill Shortages by Detailed Occupation Group (………continued)
Skill Shortages
Current Anticipated
ANZSCO Structure Groups 2011 2012
24 Education Professionals 20 18
Early Childhood Educator 2 0
Teacher - (Food Technology) 1 0
Teacher (Indonesian) 1 1
Teacher (Visual Communication) 1 0
Teacher (Maths) 2 2
Teacher (Languages) 1 0
Teacher (English) 0 2
Teacher (Trades) 3 0
Teacher (Museum) 1 0
Teacher (Religious Education) 0 2
Teacher (Special Education) 0 2
University Lecturer 1 1
University Lecturer (Accounting) 1 1
University Lecturer (Education) 1 1
University Lecturer (Engineering) 1 1
University Lecturer (Law) 1 1
University Lecturer (Nursing) 1 1
University Lecturer (Psychology) 1 1
Dance Instructor 1 2
25 Health Professionals 36 161
Environmental Health Officer 1 0
Occupational Therapist 0 1
Occupational Therapist (paediatric) 1 1
Physiotherapist 1 4
Physiotherapist (paediatric) 1 1
Podiatrist 1 0
Speech Pathologist 5 6
Speech Pathologist (paediatric) 1 1
GP Anaesthetist 2 0
GP Obstetrician 2 1
GP 0 10
Nurse Unit Manager 1 1
Maternal and Child Health Nurses 0 1
Geelong Region Skill Shortages by Detailed Occupation Group (………continued)
Skill Shortages
ANZSCO Structure Groups Current Anticipated
2011 2012
25 Health Professionals continued…..
Nurse Div 1 12 60
Nurse Div 1 (Withdrawal) 1 0
Nurse Div 1 (Practice Nurse) 2 1
Nurse Div 1 (Mental Health) 3 3
Nurse Div 1 (Medical/Surgical) 2 42
Nurse Div 1 (Emergency) 0 11
Nurse Div 1 (Peri operative) 0 11
Nurse Div 1 (Rehabilitation) 0 4
Oral Health Specialist 0 1
Medical Science Pathology 0 1
26 ICT Professionals 0 0
27 Legal, Social and Welfare Professionals 5 3
Psychologist 4 3
Social worker 1 0
Total Professionals 85 199
3 Technicians and Trades Workers
31 Engineering, ICT and Science Technicians 6 2
Agricultural Technicians (piggery) 2 2
Architectural Designer 1 0
Architectural Drafting 1 0
Electrical Estimator 1 0
Structural Draftsperson 1 0
32 Automotive and Engineering Trades Workers 26 23
Mechanic - Agricultural Machinery 2 0
Mechanic 3 3
Mechanic - Diesel 5 3
Sheet Metal Worker 1 1
Welder - Pipe 2 2
Welder 10 1
Fitter and Turner 1 2
Locksmith 1 1
Tank Construction Supervisor 1 1
Geelong Region Skill Shortages by Detailed Occupation Group (………continued)
Skill Shortages
ANZSCO Structure Groups Current Anticipated
2011 2012
32 Automotive and Engineering Trades Workers continued…
Technical Support 0 1
Panel Beater 0 4
Automotive Spray Painter 0 4
33 Construction Trades Workers 23 7
Roof truss worker 4 0
Carpenter 3 3
Joiner 3 1
Painter 1 0
Joiner Windows (Apprentice) 1 1
Carpenter (Apprentice) 3 2
Plasterer - Fibrous 4 0
Tiler - Wall & Floor 4 0
34 Electro technology and Telecommunications Trades Workers 7 4
Electrical Mechanic (A Grade) 4 2