Skill SHORTAGES in the trades: THE 2005 PICTURE

Published: June 2006

Description

Skill shortage assessments of 14 trade occupations.  As well as reporting on the types of shortage found, the reports provide an analysis of the demand and supply forces contributing to the shortages, and a short-term outlook.  The reports draw on data from the 2005 Survey of Employers who have Recently Advertised (SERA), together with other sources pertaining to demand and supply forces affecting these occupations.

The chosen occupations represent a range of industries including the construction, metal, motor, and food and beverage sectors.

Link to full report

• Overview HTML | PDF [9 pages 136KB]
• Auto Electrician HTML | PDF [10 pages 214KB]
• Boat Builder HTML | PDF [10 pages 220KB]
• Bricklayer HTML | PDF [10 pages 214KB]
• Cabinetmaker HTML | PDF [12 pages 241KB]
• Carpenter HTML | PDF [12 pages 252KB]
• Chef HTML | PDF [11 pages 221KB]
• Diesel Mechanic HTML | PDF [11 pages 237KB]
• Electrician HTML | PDF [10 pages 214KB]
• Fitter and Turner HTML | PDF [13 pages 247KB]
• Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic HTML | PDF [13 pages 239KB]
• Line Mechanic HTML | PDF [12 pages 229KB]
• Plumber HTML | PDF [13 pages 257KB]
• Printing Machinist HTML | PDF [10 pages 242KB]
• Sheet Metal Worker HTML | PDF [10 pages 220KB]

Download: Overview: Occupational Skill Shortage Assessment - 2006 [PDF 9 pages 136KB]

Summary

Shortages exist in every trade occupation surveyed, with most shortages being acute.

All 14 occupations surveyed are assessed to be in genuine skill shortage.

Two occupations are also experiencing recruitment and retention difficulties.

Shortages have intensified between 2003 and 2005.
Training rates have increased significantly while total enrolments have also increased sharply.

Immigration has made a positive contribution to the supply of trades workers over the past three years.

Most of the 14 trades have experienced high real growth in wages.

While shortages are expected to persist in the short term, the outlook is improving.

Key points

Just over a third (37%) of the 1,480 vacancies included in the survey sample were filled within eight weeks of advertising. ‘Line Mechanic’ had the lowest fill rate (10%), while ‘Printing Machinist’ had the highest (61%).

Of the 14 trades surveyed, nine had fill rates less than 40% and are therefore considered to be in acute shortage.  Six of the trades surveyed had fill rates less than 30%.  This indicates the depth of shortage within the trades surveyed.

Related Information

The Immigration Service’s Long Term Skill Shortage List

The Immigration Service’s Immediate Skill Shortage List

Occupation Reports (2004): Trades

Skill Shortage Assessment Reports (2005): Professionals 

Occupation Reports (2004): Professionals 

Survey of Employers who have Recently Advertised (SERA)

Future updates

These were one off reports – they will not be updated and its future will be reviewed in December 2007.  After review it may be retained for a further period or moved to the archive

Author or contact details

For further information please contact the Labour Market Skills team