Job ads plummet, but skilled mining roles strong

New job ads posted on SEEK in the first week of April were down 65.3 per cent compared to the same week last year as the COVID-19 crisis takes its toll on employment. At the same time as the general slump in hiring, specific industries are generating urgent demand for workers - including the resources sector. “The impacts of COVID-19 on the labour market have been swift and extreme," Australian managing director for SEEK Kendra Banks said. "2020 was already off to a rocky start after Australia’s devastating bushfires and a looming economic slowdown, and job ad volumes within this timeframe reflected this, down between 7 – 11 per cent compared to the same period in 2019. "However, the latest numbers show just how much coronavirus has impacted the labour market." Compared to 2019, SEEK data shows that national job ads have declined by; 12.6 per cent in week ended 8 March and,17.3 per cent in week ended 15 March and,41.3 per cent in week ended 22 March and,64.6 per cent in week ended 29 March and,65.3 per cent last week, week ended 5 April. “Speaking with customers we have been encouraged to hear that corporate Australia is working together," Ms Banks said. "Where companies have had to stand down workers, they are speaking to businesses who have an immediate need for labour to see if they can deploy staff into those roles." She said organisations servicing the essential retail sector, and aspects of the healthcare sector had an urgent need for skilled and non-skilled workers. "As businesses pivot to virtual and online delivery of goods and services, and many employees work-from-home, there is increased demand for cyber security specialists, and technology and product specialists to support these transitions. "We are also seeing the impact of large organisations like banks, insurance, telecommunications and airlines bringing their call centre and shared services back to Australian shores.“The uptick in resources sees large resource companies hiring for highly skilled roles such as diesel fitters, auto electricians, as well as general skilled roles such as truck drivers and diggers”. Where the jobs are: Essential retail services: roles across warehouse and distribution such as shelf stackers, delivery drivers, supply chain managers and warehousing supervisors.Manufacturing: the additional demand for household staples has seen businesses across manufacturing need more workers to keep up with production, so factories can operate at an increased capacity.Mining & Resources: Large resource companies are looking for highly skilled roles such as diesel fitters, auto electricians and also more general skilled roles like truck drivers and machine operators.Virtual working / Digitisation: software development and cyber security are in demand.Family support; nannies and tutors, as parents and carers who now need to work from home look for additional support at home with care and education.Healthcare; Nursing - Aged Care, General Medical & Surgical, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, OT & Rehabilitation, Psychology, Counselling & Social Work.Customer support: call centre operators and managers and customer support staff.

Job ads plummet, but skilled mining roles strong

Industry Queensland

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