Why you should research skills in demand

Researching skills in demand may give you a better chance of finding work

When you’re looking for a job, doing some extra research into the employment landscape really helps to expand your opportunities.

Employers in certain industries, professions or regions can sometimes find it challenging to find people with the right skills to do a particular job. 

When not enough people have the skills to do a particular job, this is called a “skills in demand” area.

When you’re searching for a job, conducting thorough research on “skills in demand” can significantly increase your chances of success. 

By understanding the trends in demand for specific skills, you can adjust or create a career strategy to improve your opportunities.

Skills priority list

To make this easier, the Australian government regularly publishes the Skills Priority List, which outlines occupations facing skill shortages and provides insights into anticipated future demand for specific roles.

As of 2023, about 36% of occupations assessed across Australia were experiencing shortages.

 High-demand areas include health, engineering, information communication technology (ICT), and science, especially in regional and remote locations. 

While registered nurses, software programmers, aged care workers, and construction managers are examples of professions currently in short supply

Find the government’s Skills Priority List Key Findings Report 2023 here.

You can make your job search easier by targeting your approach and aligning your job search with industries facing shortages. 

It means you can focus on developing in-demand skills to improve your chances of securing employment in the areas you’ve identified as lacking qualified people.

Areas identified in the Labour Market Update showed that healthcare roles, like registered nurses and aged and disabled carers, are among the top 20 occupations in demand nationally.

Could you make a move?

It’s not just skills and industries that can be in short supply. 

Often, it’s a region that doesn’t have enough people with suitable skills and qualifications in their area.

So, if you’re open to moving, you can consider relocating to areas where your desired job is in higher demand. 

In Australia, many shortages are being felt in our regional areas. 

To provide assistance to get workers to these places, you could make the most of the state and federal governments’ relocation assistance, which could help you cover the costs of moving for a job.

Build your skills

Training and education pathways are also a good way to help you get the skills you need for in-demand roles. 

TAFE courses and Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses are aimed at helping Australians build competencies in critical shortage areas. 

The government is supplying these programs as part of its strategy to address skill gaps and enhance the overall labour market. 

Of course, there are other pathways to building skills, such as university, on-the-job experience and private education providers.

So, if you’re looking for a career change or want to improve your chances of finding a new job, it’s an excellent idea to get a better understanding of “skills in demand” areas. 

By staying informed about these trends and pursuing the skills that are in short supply, you can position yourself for long-term success in a competitive and ever-changing job market.

If you're a participant on one of APM's employment programs, ask your employment consultant about access to any training or skills development that may be available.