Almost half of Skill Level 3 occupations (47%) – which typically require a Certificate III/IV – were in shortage in 2023. One in four Skill Level 2 occupations were also in shortage. In addition, 42% of Skill Level 1 occupations, which usually require a bachelor’s degree or higher, were in shortage.
These findings from the Skills Priority List (SPL) 2023 show that there is a significant opportunity for RTOs to scale their business and achieve expert status by prioritising in-demand courses.
As an RTO, you play a vital role in developing the skills of the Australian workforce. With the labour market constantly evolving, it is essential to stay up to date on the most in-demand courses. This blog post will explore the most in-demand courses in Australia in 2023, based on the Skills Priority List 2023.
The Skills Priority List is a valuable tool that can inform RTOs about the occupations in shortage and the anticipated future demand for occupations in Australia. The 2023 Skills Priority List shows that 36% of occupations were in national shortage, with a large proportion of these occupations requiring VET qualifications.
This blog post will provide you with insights into the most in-demand courses across various industries, including healthcare, IT, construction, and engineering. We will also discuss the key skills that are in high demand in the Australian workforce.
By the end of this blog post, you will be able to:
- Identify the most in-demand courses in Australia in 2023
- Understand the key skills that are in high demand in the Australian workforce
- Develop strategies to align your course offerings with the Skills Priority List 2023
As an expert in the field of VET, I am committed to helping RTOs deliver high-quality training that meets the needs of the Australian workforce. I encourage you to read this blog post carefully and use the information provided to make informed decisions about your course offerings.
Why is it important for RTOs to prioritise in-demand courses?
There are several reasons why it is important for RTOs to prioritise in-demand courses.
- First, it helps to ensure that graduates have the skills they need to secure jobs in the Australian workforce.
- Second, it helps to address skills shortages in key industries.
- Third, it can help RTOs to attract more students and funding.
How can RTOs align courses with the Skills Priority List 2023?
There are a number of ways that RTOs can align their course offerings with the Skills Priority List 2023. One way is to regularly review the Skills Priority List and identify occupations that are in shortage. RTOs can then develop new courses or update existing courses to meet the needs of these occupations.
Another way to align course offerings with the Skills Priority List is to develop partnerships with industry employers. This can help RTOs to ensure that their courses are relevant to the needs of the workforce and that graduates have the skills they need to be successful in the workplace.
Identifying the most in-demand courses in Australia in 2023 and 2024
Professional’s occupations
The Skills Priority List (SPL) 2023 shows that almost half (48%) of Professionals group occupations were in shortage in 2023, compared to 39% in 2022. This increase was largely driven by Health Professionals and ICT Professionals. More than four in five Health Professionals occupations (82%) were in shortage, while almost seven in ten ICT Professionals (69%) were in .
This suggests that there is a high demand for skilled workers in these two professions and that RTOs can play a vital role in meeting this demand by offering high-quality training in relevant courses.
Here are some of the most in-demand Professional group occupations in Australia in 2023, based on the Skills Priority List:
- Health Professionals: Medical practitioners, Registered Nurses, medical specialists, diagnostic professionals, and allied health professionals.
- ICT Professionals: Software and applications programmers, systems analysts, cybersecurity specialists, and telecommunications network engineers.
Technicians and Trades Workers occupations
All occupations in the Construction Trades Workers and Food Trades Workers groups were in shortage in 2023, along with 80% of Automotive and Engineering Trades Workers occupations. This indicates that there is a high demand for skilled workers in these trades and that RTOs can play a vital role in meeting this demand by offering high-quality training in relevant courses.
Here are some of the most in-demand Technicians and Trades Workers occupations in Australia in 2023, based on the Skills Priority List:
- Construction Trades Workers: Carpenters, plumbers, electricians, and bricklayers.
- Food Trades Workers: Chefs, bakers, and butchers.
- Automotive and Engineering Trades Workers: Motor mechanics, fitters, and metal fabricators.
All occupations in the Construction Trades Workers category are in persistent shortage. This suggests that tight labour market conditions simply exacerbate shortage issues that appear to be chronic in the sector. Even if the construction sector were to see a significant downturn, many construction roles would likely still be in shortage.
The fill rates for construction-related occupations are often among the lowest in the labour market and have declined significantly from 54% in the 2020–21 financial year to 29% in 2022–23.
Community and Personal Service Worker’s occupations
The proportion of Community and Personal Services Workers occupations in shortage grew to 24% in 2023, an increase from 21% in 2022. This indicates that there is a high demand for skilled workers in these occupations and that RTOs can play a vital role in meeting this demand by offering high-quality training in relevant courses.
Here are some of the most in-demand Community and Personal Service Workers occupations in Australia in 2023, based on the SPL:
- Health and Welfare Support Workers: Enrolled Nurses, residential care services, ambulance officers, diversional therapists, and residential support workers.
- Carers and Aides: Aged or disabled carers, personal care workers, childcare workers, personal care assistants, nursing support workers, and out-of-school hours care workers.
The demand for health and care workers is likely to increase further into the future due to Australia’s ageing population and the difficulty in automating many care-related tasks. However, the sector is facing a number of challenges, including low staff retention stemming from poor working conditions.
Other occupation groups
There was a slight increase in the percentage of Machinery Operators and Drivers occupations in shortage, from 29% in 2022 to 34% in 2023. Within this group, Labourer’s occupations in shortage were mostly related to the Construction and Agricultural industries (including Cotton Farm Workers, Sugar Cane Farm Workers, and Livestock Husbandry Workers).
Construction labourers
Construction labourers are in high demand in Australia, due to the strong construction sector. They assist with a variety of tasks on construction sites, such as mixing concrete, laying bricks, and operating machinery.
Agricultural Labourers
Agricultural labourers are also in high demand, due to the importance of the agricultural sector to the Australian economy. They work on farms and orchards, performing tasks such as planting crops, harvesting produce, and caring for animals.
Jobs in demand in Australia in 2024
Based on the Skills Priority List 2023, the following jobs are expected to be in high demand in Australia in 2024:
- Professionals: Health professionals, information technology ICT professionals, engineers, accountants, early childhood teachers, and nursing and healthcare.
- Technicians and Trades Workers: Construction trades workers, food trades workers, automotive and engineering trades workers, hairdressers, and metal fabricators.
- Community and Personal Service Workers: Enrolled nurses, mental health counsellors, family day care workers, ambulance officers, remote patient monitoring, diversional therapists, residential care officers, aged care workers, disabled carers, childcare workers, personal care assistants, and nursing support workers.
- Machinery Operators and Drivers: Construction labourers, agricultural labourers, and truck drivers.
Courses in demand in Australia in 2024
Based on the above list of in-demand jobs, the following courses are expected to be in high demand in Australia in 2024:
- Certificate III in Carpentry and Joinery
- Certificate III in Plumbing and Services
- Certificate III in Electrical Technology
- Certificate III in Hairdressing
- Certificate III in Metal Fabrication
- Certificate IV in Nursing
- Certificate III in Aged Care
- Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
- Certificate III in Construction (Civil)
- Certificate III in Horticulture
- Certificate III in Transport Operations
Foundational skills and LLN skills needed to fulfil these roles in 2024
The following foundational skills and LLN skills are needed to fulfil the roles listed above:
- Foundational skills: Literacy, numeracy, problem-solving, communication, teamwork, digital literacy, and critical thinking.
- LLN skills: Reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
Strategies to align RTO course offerings with the Skills Priority List 2023
Here are five strategies for RTOs in Australia to align their course offerings with the Skills Priority List 2023, with two sentences added to each strategy to make it easier to understand:
- Regularly review the Skills Priority List and identify occupations that are in shortage.
This will help you to ensure that your course offerings are meeting the needs of the Australian workforce. By regularly checking the Skills Priority List, you will stay up to date on the latest in-demand occupations and can adjust your course offerings accordingly.
- Talk to industry employers to get their insights into the skills that are in high demand in their sector.
This will help you to develop courses that are relevant to the needs of employers and that will give your students the skills they need to be successful in the workplace. By talking to industry employers, you can get first-hand knowledge of the skills that they are looking for in their employees. This information can then be used to develop courses that are tailored to the needs of the workforce.
- Conduct research on the latest trends in the economy and job market to identify emerging occupations and skills.
This will help you to develop courses that prepare your students for the jobs of the future. By staying informed about the latest trends in the economy and job market, you can anticipate the skills that will be in demand in the future. This information can then be used to develop courses that prepare your students for the jobs of tomorrow.
- Develop partnerships with local businesses and industry organisations.
This will give your students access to real-world experience and networking opportunities. By partnering with local businesses and industry organisations, you can give your students the opportunity to gain real-world experience and network with potential employers. This can help them to make a successful transition from the classroom to the workforce.
- Offer flexible study options to cater to the needs of working adults.
This will make it easier for people to upskill or reskill, even if they are already employed. By offering flexible study options, such as online learning and evening classes, you can make it easier for working adults to upskill or reskill. This can help them to advance their careers and contribute to the Australian economy.
Looking for high-quality training resources in 2024?
At VET Resources we offer the latest and best learning resources that are compatible with your LMS. We also help you in customising the resources. We also offer free RTO consultation for RTOs. For more information contact us here.
Conclusion
The future job market is expected to see a continued shift towards higher-skilled jobs, with many new job opportunities emerging in new and growing industries. This presents a significant opportunity for the education and training industry to play a vital role in ensuring that Australia has the skilled workforce it needs to compete in the global economy.
RTOs can play a critical role in meeting the needs of the future job market by offering a range of courses that are aligned with the latest skills shortage list and that prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow. This includes courses in the fastest growing sectors, such as health, ICT, construction, and agriculture.
By offering high-quality training and flexible study options, RTOs can help working adults to upskill or reskill and to advance their careers. This can contribute to the growth of Australia and ensure that the country has the skilled workforce it needs to succeed.
Here are some specific ways that RTOs can contribute to the future job market:
- Offer courses in in-demand occupations, such as health professionals, ICT professionals, engineers, and construction trades workers.
- Develop partnerships with local businesses and industry organizations to give students access to real-world experience and networking opportunities.
- Offer flexible study options to cater to the needs of working adults.
- Provide students with opportunities to develop the foundational and LLN skills that they need to be successful in the workplace.
- Stay up-to-date on the latest trends in the economy and job market to ensure that course offerings are aligned with the needs of the future workforce.
By taking these steps, RTOs can play a vital role in shaping the future job market and ensuring that Australia has the skilled workforce it needs to thrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Skills Priority List?
The Skills Priority List (SPL) is an annual report published by Jobs and Skills Australia that identifies occupations in shortage and high demand in Australia. It is a valuable resource for RTOs, employers, and job seekers, as it provides insights into the current and future needs of the Australian workforce.
What is anzsco skill level?
The Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) is a classification system that groups occupations together based on their skill level and related characteristics. There are five ANZSCO skill levels:
- Skill Level 1: Managerial and professional occupations
- Skill Level 2: Technical and trade occupations
- Skill Level 3: Community and personal service workers
- Skill Level 4: Clerical and administrative workers
- Skill Level 5: Sales workers and machinery operators and drivers
What are early childhood education courses?
Early childhood education courses provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to work with children from birth to eight years old. These courses can be offered at certificate, diploma, and degree levels.
Are the standard industrial classification and education and training industry related to each other?
Yes, the standard industrial classification (SIC) and education and training industry are related to each other. The SIC is a classification system that groups industries together based on their economic activity. The education and training industry is one of the 18 industries in the SIC.
Where can RTOs get labour market updates in Australia?
RTOs can get labour market updates in Australia from a variety of sources, including:
- Jobs and Skills Australia
- National Skills Commission
- Australian Bureau of Statistics
- Department of Employment and Workplace Relations
- State and territory governments
These organisations publish a range of reports and data that provide insights into the current and future needs of the Australian workforce.
Disclaimer:
The information presented on the VET Resources blog is for general guidance only. While we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee the completeness or timeliness of the information. VET Resources is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. Always consult a professional for advice tailored to your circumstances.
