Manpower Australia: Talent Shortages Continue Despite Global Recession

Manpower Australia: Talent Shortages Continue Despite Global Recession

49% of Employers in Australia are Struggling to Find Qualified Job Candidates-

Wanted by Employers in Australia: Skilled Manual Trades, Sales Representatives and Engineers

Manpower Australia today released the results of its fourth annual talent shortage survey, revealing that 49 percent of employers in Australia and 32 percent of employers in the Asia Pacific region are continuing to struggle to fill positions available despite the economic crisis. This is a slight single percentage point increase when compared to the 2008 survey and is two percentage points greater than the global average (30 percent).

Nearly 11,500 employers were interviewed in Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan as part of a global survey. Employers having the most difficulty finding the right talent to fill jobs in the Asia Pacific region are those in Taiwan (62%), Japan (55%), Australia (49%) and New Zealand (39%). The talent shortage appears to be least problematic in China (15%) and India (20%).

“Despite high levels of unemployment in many markets, this year’s talent survey suggests a mismatch between the type of individuals available for work and the specific skills that employers are looking for,” said Lincoln Crawley, Managing Director, Manpower Australia and New Zealand. “In an environment where companies are pressured to shift their mindset to think more strategically and creatively about how to do more with less, the same approach is being applied to how they manage their talent. Employers are looking for ways to accelerate their business strategy with less people. It’s this specificity of skills required in the individuals that employers are now seeking that is creating a sense of talent shortage amidst an overabundant pool of available workers. This conundrum is frustrating both employers and individuals.”

The top 10 jobs that employers are having difficulty filling in Australia in 2009 compared with 2008 are (ranked in order):

2009 Hot Jobs in Australia

1. Skilled Manual Trades (1. Electrician, 2. Carpenter /Joiner, 3. Welder)
2. Sales Representatives
3. Engineers
4. Management / Executive (Management /Corporate)
5. Accounting & Finance Staff
6. Technicians
7. Customer Service Representatives and Customer Support
8. Machinist / Machine Operator
9. Production Operators
10. Drivers

2008 Hot Jobs in Australia

1. Skilled Trades
2. Engineers
3. Sales Representatives
4. Accounting & Finance Staff
5. Drivers
6. Technicians
7. Labourers
8. Secretaries, PA’s, Administrative Assistants & Office Support Staff
9. Mechanics
10. Management / Executive (Management /Corporate)

The complete results of Manpower’s global talent shortage survey can be downloaded at www.manpower.com/ResearchCenter.

Here in Australia, while there has been some movement in ranking, the top three remain the same as last year. The continuing difficulty recruiting Engineers and Skilled Manual Trades reflects the severity of the talent shortages which existed in the Resources and Infrastructure segments. This resulted in the inflation of wages however there are signs of realignment in some pockets. Sales Representatives climbs one place, indicating companies are still striving for growth even in challenging conditions. Customer Service roles move into the top ten and reflects the need to protect the existing client base from increased competition. Management / Executive climbs six places as organizations seek experienced executives with proven track record capable of producing results in a downturn.