Skills Shortages
Fact Sheet 16 Skills Shortages
The following information highlights the main sectors where there are skills shortages.
What is a Skills Shortage?
Automotive
The automotive trades are among those sectors experiencing difficulties in recruiting & retaining the right skilled
people. Examples of specific key skill shortages are: Motor Mechanics, Automotive Electricians, Panel Beaters
& Vehicle Painters. For more information on this industry visit these websites:
www.automotivetraining.org.au - Australian apps info, skills recognition
www.autocareers.com.au great information regarding qualifications & specific occupational career profiles
www.mtawa.com.au - careers & training sales, OH & S, & First Aid courses & careers as well as information
on Motor Vehicle Repairers Licensing & Certificate information
www.workplace.gov.au - Go to the Industry Opportunities Automotive Industry Familiarisation Project- Perth
WA, for 45 years old & over
www.apawa.com.au/findajob - jobs
Building & Construction
The building & construction industry in WA is experiencing acute skills shortages & demand for many skills in this
industry, include: Carpenters & Joiners, Fibrous/Solid Plasterers, Urban & Regional Planners, Bricklayers,
Plumbers & Cabinetmakers. For more information on this industry visit these websites :
www.nolimits.com.au - The Building & Construction Industry Training Fund (BCITF)
www.brb.org.au - Builders Registration Board of WA (BRB)
www.mbawa.com - Masters Builders Association of WA (MBA)
www.hia.com.au - Housing Industry Association (HIA)
www.mpaskills.com.au - Master Painters Association (MPA Skills)
www.plumber.com.au - Masters Plumbers & Mechanical Services Association of Australia
Also check out our Engineering Fact Sheet for related information.
Community Services
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Fact Sheet No: 16 - Skills Shortages
Community Services covers a broad range of skills & careers including child care, community welfare ,
police & occupational health & safety. For more information on this industry visit these websites:
www.stepforward.wa.gov.au - WA Police Recruitment
www.aacc.org.au Australian Association Of Career Counsellors
www.aipc.net.au - Australian Institute of Professional Consellors
www.pacawa.iinet.net.au - Psychotherapists & Counsellors Association of WA
www.ifap.asn.au - IFAP
www.ascc.gov.au - Office of the Australian Safety & Compensation Council
www.ergonomics.org.au - Human Factors & Ergonomics Society of Australia
www.nationalsafetygroup.com.au - National Safety Group
Community Services
Education
For more information on this industry visit these websites:
www.myfuture.edu.au - Information for Vocational Teachers (NB: you will need a Certificate IV Training & Assessment)
www.det.wa.edu.au/teachingwa - Department of Education & Training, Teaching WA
www.ceawa.org.au - Career Education Association of WA
www.wacot.wa.edu.au - WA College of Teaching
Computing & Information Technology (ICT)
There is a huge demand in resources industries for ICT skills including infrastructure such as rail transportation,
data management, linking electronic monitoring systems. IT demand can be found in engineering & mining
companies as well as government organisations. Computing & IT careers can range from Programmers/software
engineers, Systems Engineers (including design & hard ware), Computing support technician, Multimedia
Developers, Graphic Designers & Technical Writers. For more information on this industry visit these websites:
www.acs.org.au - Australian Computer Society ICT Careers Portal
www.aimia.com.au - Australian Interactive Multimedia Association of Australia
www.ibsa.org.au - Innovation & Business Skills Australia (IBSA)
www.gurus.com.au one of the many specialist IT recruiting site.
Computing & Information Technology (ICT)
Due to the resource & housing industry boom, demand for electrical & electronic skills at all levels has increased
& include anything from basic electronic skills to trade housing & industrial electricians to uni qualified electrical
engineers. Careers in demand include: Electrical & Electronic Engineers, Electrician (both General/Residential &
Special Class), Refrigeration & Air Conditioning installation & maintenance, Electrical Powerline Tradesperson &
Electronic Instrumentation Tradespersons. For more information on this industry visit these websites:
www.ee-oz.com.au - ElectroComms & Energy Utilities Industry Skills Council Ltd
www.miningcareers.com - Minerals Council of Australia
www.bigplans.com.au - Big Plans
www.egt.net.au - Electrical Group Training
www.mersitab.com.au - Manufacturing Skills Australia
www.highlychargedcareers.com.au - Western Power (Careers)
Also check out our Fact Sheets on Engineering, Science & Mining Fact Sheets for related information.
Electrical, Electronic, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
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Fact Sheet No: 16 - Skills Shortages
Due to West Australias resources boom, many skills are in demand from actual site work to transportation to
infrastructure (which often is based in Perth). Types of careers in demand include:
All areas of engineering these include mechanical, civil/structural, chemical, mining, & support technicians
All levels & areas of welding & metal fabrication
Metal Fitters & Machinists including heavy duty
Electrical Fitter/instrumentation
Trade Mechanics including plant & heavy duty auto
Drafters - Civil/road/structural & electrical
Surveyors & Quantity Surveyors
Supervisors & managers in all of the above fields
Other support roles such as project management, document control, accounting, technical report writers, &
paralegals/lawyers for writing contracts.
Useful websites include:
www.gowestnow.com - Go West (West Australian Mining careers information)
www.miningcareers.com - Mining Careers (Mineral Council Of Australia)
www.minerals.org.au - Minerals Council of Australia
www.antcer.com.au - Oil & Gas careers site
www.engineersaustralia.org.au - Engineers Australia
Also check out our Fact Sheets on Engineering, Science & Mining Fact Sheets for related information.
Engineering & Mining
The food & hospitality industry is in need of many key personnel such as Butchers, Bakers, Pastrycooks, Cooks &
Chefs. Western Australia has a thriving tourist industry but there is also a shortage of Managers as well as
general waiting staff. For more information on this industry visit these websites:
www.aahm.wa.edu.au - Australian Academy of Hospitality Management
www.wahtitc.com.au - WA Hospitality & Tourism Training Council
www.tourismtraining.com.au - Tourism Training Australia Board
www.wafitc.asn.au - Western Australian Food and Beverage Industry Training Council Inc
www.tourism.wa.gov.au - Tourism Western Australia
Food processing, Hospitality
The Health sector cover a wide range of careers & skills with opportunities ranging from Nurses, Podiatrists,
Medical Diagnostic Radiographer, Aged Carer & Veterinarian. The health sector is also experiencing a shortage of
skilled workers in many other fields such as:
General and Specialist Medical Practitioners Anaesthetist
Psychiatrist Dentists
Physiotherapists Podiatrists
Medical diagnostic radiographer Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Radiation therapist Sonographer
Audiologist Midwives
Useful websites include:
www.amawa.com.au - Australian Medical Association (WA branch)
www.nursing.health.wa.gov.au - Department of HealthNursing & Midwifery
Health
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CAREER DEVELOPMENT CENTRE Updated: July 2008
City Central Building,
2nd floor, 166 Murray St, Perth WA 6000
Ph: 1800 999 167 Fax: 08 9421 1391
Email: career.developmentcentre@det.wa.edu.au
Disclaimer: This information is provided voluntarily by the Department of Education and Training (the Department) as a public service and is made in good faith.
The Department and its employees and agents make no representation nor give an express or implied warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or currency of the information
provided.
The information and advice is provided on the basis of information supplied by the user and each user is responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed
herein and is advised to verify all statements and information.
To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Department disclaim all liability (including but not limited to liability for negligence) to any person using or relying on any
information provided and any errors misstatements or omissions in the information provided.
The Department will not provide any personal information to any other person or body corporate unless otherwise required to do so by law.
Fact Sheet No: 16 - Skills Shortages
www.ada.org.au - Australian Dental Association (WA branch)
www.apa.advsol.com.au - Australain Physiothearpy Association (WA branch)
www.apodc.com.au - Australian Podiatry Council
www.radiologicalcouncil.wa.gov.au - Radiology Council
www.anzsnw.org.au - Australian & NZ Society of Nuclear Medicine
www.ava.com.au - Australian Veterinary Association
www.audiology.asn.au - Audiological Society of Australia
Also check out our Fact Sheets 17 & 18 on Nursing for related information.
Health - continued
Economy and Budget