Latest trends: Job opportunities are up 14.7% and STEM skills are in demand
If you’re planning to take the next step in your career, you may be in for a very happy new year. The first month of 2018 delivered even more opportunities for candidates with the latest data from SEEK Employment Trends showing further growth across the country.
Opportunities on SEEK increased by 14.7% in January compared to the same time last year and the positive results were shared across the vast majority of industries.
No matter where you’re located across the country, your prospects were looking up in January.
STEM skills in demand
Science and technology were in the spotlight in January. An increasing demand for talent in these areas has led to a boost in opportunities in related industries, such as Engineering.
Kendra Banks, Managing Director of SEEK ANZ, says the outlook is bright for candidates with these highly sought-after skills.
"We’re seeing a strong national demand for STEM skills – science, technology, engineering and mathematics – which reflects a global talent shortage,” says Banks. “This ‘talent shortage’ has been identified by Australian CEOs as one of their top business risk areas, but it also creates huge competitive job opportunities for Australians with engineering and IT skills.”
If you’re looking for a new role in the Engineering industry, your prospects rose by 25% compared to the same time last year and the average advertised salary was $106,980.
Opportunities in the Science and Technology sector also recorded year-on-year growth of 22% and the average advertised salary was $86,722. Victoria led the way for opportunities across the industry with growth of 30%. Meanwhile, candidates in Queensland saw a lift of 24% and those in NSW saw growth of 21%.
Mining leads the way
While coming off a low base, the Mining, Resources and Energy sector has been showing positive signs of recovery. The good news for candidates is that growth continued in January. The industry was out in front again for the month with opportunities on SEEK increasing by 54% year-on-year and the average advertised salary was $118,471.
Meanwhile, Australia’s Construction industry continued to record positive results with prospects rising by 19% year-on-year and the average advertised salary was $109,293. The related field of Trades and Services was another strong performer with 31% more opportunities on SEEK compared to the same time last year and the average advertised salary was $66,472.
Public sector on the rise
Australia’s public sector also started the year on a high. Government and Defence recorded year-on-year growth of 21% and the average advertised salary was $92,145.
Banks says the growth in opportunities across the public sector is being driven by the large employing sub-sector of local government.
“Across Australia, new job ads in local government are up 31% with more than 1,200 opportunities available,” she says. “Strong increases in job opportunities, but off lower bases, were also seen in the navy and police and corrections.”
The state and federal government also recorded more opportunities for candidates with growth of 14% and 16% respectively.
A slip in one sector
While most industries experienced year-on-year increases in opportunities on SEEK in January, Advertising, Arts and Media was the only industry to record a decline. Opportunities slipped by 8% compared to the same time last year and the average advertised salary was $76,836.
Some industries recorded relatively weak growth in January. These included banking and financial services, which saw a modest 3% year-on-year lift and the average advertised salary was $91,693. Sport and recreation recorded a 6% increase in opportunities and the average advertised salary was $63,344.
Growth across the country
No matter where you’re located across the country, your prospects were looking up in January.
Candidates in the ACT experienced a 10.6% year-on-year lift and construction was one of the territory’s strongest performing industries. It recorded growth of 41% year-on-year for the three-month period of November to January.
Opportunities for candidates in NSW grew by 10.7% year-on-year and they rose by 16.6% in Queensland. In Tasmania, prospects increased by 26.4% year-on-year, Victoria was up by 17% and South Australia grew by 22.8%. The Mining, Resources and Energy sector recorded the greatest year-on-year growth from November to January in each of these locations.
The Northern Territory recorded a 27% boost compared to the same time last year and the Consulting & Strategy sector was the territory’s top performer. Meanwhile, the good news for candidates in Western Australia continued in January. The state recorded an 18.6% lift in opportunities and engineering industry led the way.
The year got off to a great start for candidates right across the country. With more opportunities on SEEK in January, now may be the time to polish up your resume.