Australias skills shortages report released the professions and locations that need you the most

Australias skills shortages report released the professions and locations that need you the most Australias skills shortages report released the professions and locations that need you the mostPosted March 28, 2014, by Julia WattersIf you need a little guidance when choosing a career path, or if youre looking for a change, checking out where the jobs are is always a good place to start. The Department of Employment recently released their Skills Shortages Australia report for 2013 and it highlights not only the industries that are waiting for recruits, but also the states and territories that are most ripe for the vacant job picking.The report welches undertaken in consultation with over 5,500 employers and utilised data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Department of Education, Graduate Careers Australia (GCA) and the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER). While this data suggests that the past 7 years has seen an increase in vacancies filled nation wide, there are still plenty of skills shortages for those industries that require specialised graduates. A skills shortage is often indicated by a small number of job applicants per advertised position and a large proportion of applicants being under-qualified for the position. This is especially true of trades and other vocational and practical professions across the board.So what are the best skills to have?Its no real surprise, but technicians and trades are in hot demand with vacancies cropping up faster than they can be filled by suitable applicants. The skills that are almost guaranteed to land you work includeAutomotive trades automotive electrician, motor mechanic, small engine mechanic and panelbeaterEngineering trades sheet metal trades worker, motor mechanic, small engine mechanic, panelbeaterConstruction trades stone mason, solid plasterer, roof tilerElectrotechnology trades air conditioning and refrigeration mechanic, electrical linesworkerFood trades chef/cook, b aker, pastrycook, butcherHorticultural trades arborist, landscape gardenerWhich professions have the most jobs?Professions are experiencing less shortages overall, but that doesnt mean you wont find a niche you can utilise. The professions with the greatest shortages includeMining Mining engineer (excluding petroleum), petroleum engineer and geophysicistHealth Sonographer, optometrist and physiotherapistWhere are the opportunities located?State vs stateIn 2013, there were a larger number of applicants for all roles across all states and territories, with the exception of South Australia, suggesting that for most states, skills shortages had reduced.The Northern Territory boasted the largest increase in filled vacancies with all other states and territories following suit, besides Victoria and South Australia whose numbers remained unchanged. However, Darwin still made the list of hard to recruit places, meaning plenty of opportunities for those with the right skills. South Austra lian employers were found to have the least trouble recruiting with the exception of the states regional areas, while New South Wales recruiters experienced the most difficulty of any state or territory, especially in regional areas.The upshot of this is that, compared to