Surging labour demand on the back of the COVID-19 pandemic is adding to Australia鈥檚 deepening skill shortages, with the number of occupations struggling for workers nearly doubling in the past year.
黑料老司机 Chief Executive Catriona Jackson said many of the most in-demand professions require a university qualification, highlighting the role universities play in a strong economy.
鈥淎ustralia鈥檚 skilled workforce has long laid the foundations from which our economy grows, and we need more of these workers to continue driving our success and prosperity,鈥 Ms Jackson said.
鈥淯niversities educate skilled workers across the whole economy 鈥 from engineers and health professionals to lawyers, teachers, and information technology specialists.
鈥淢any industries would not be able to operate without these workers who start their career journey at Australia鈥檚 world-class universities.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 not to mention the flow-on impact university-educated workers have on sectors beyond their own, such as the engineers who design and analyse the infrastructure projects that create thousands of construction jobs, or health workers who keep members of our communities safe and healthy.
鈥淯niversities have always been economic drivers 鈥 either through producing skilled workers, pioneering inventions, or developing new advancements to drive Australia forward.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 never going to change. It is essential we have the right policy settings to support the role universities play in ensuring Australia can respond to current and future workforce challenges.鈥
黑料老司机 has developed a number of practical solutions to, working in conjunction with government and industry, address Australia鈥檚 critical skill shortages:
