Most wanted skills in 2017?

Financial planners,

carpenters, engineers and property lawyers are among the most sought after skills during the first quarter.

The surging skills demand for architects, civil and structural engineers, building and project managers in Q1’17, is driven by Sydney’s construction boom as well as the national infrastructure rollout of Canberra light rail, WestConnex and Toowoomba's Second Range Crossing, according to Hays quarterly report.

Queensland, Victoria New South Wales and ACT are among Australia's job hotspots this quarter, the report also reveals.

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Workers in Australia's fledgling renewable energy sector, HR advisers, teachers and accountants, too, are also highly sought after.  

The rapid rise in robotics and automation will start to increase job opportunities in the industrial robotics sector, while the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is creating a huge need for front line case managers, while qualified childcare staff are still in short supply, notes Nick Deligiannis, Managing Director of Hays ANZ.

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However, having experience in a sector is not enough any more, he warns. Successful candidates are going to have to offer that little bit extra.

“In compiling our list of skills in demand, one common trend was employers’ requests for candidates who can add extra value,” he said.

That edge could be experience in a related discipline, additional qualifications or advanced digital or systems skills.

 Figures out this week show Australia's jobs market is in rude health. Job vacancies rose to 181,000 in November, jumping 2.3% from August, new ABS figures show. 

Here is the full list of in-demand skills in Q1 (courtesy of Hays Quarterly Report)

• Financial and Commercial Analysts: Required to provide insights and analysis to operations to drive improved business performance. 
• Payrollers: As an essential role, departing staff are immediately replaced. 
• Professional practice accountants: Fine-tuned technical skills are not enough; employers want exceptional verbal and written communication skills, business acumen and the ability to engage with clients. 
• Architects: Sought in the eastern states and South Australia for development projects that require planning and design. Revit software skills are valued.
• Paraplanners and Financial Planners: Candidates with a degree and ADFP or CFP are in short supply.
• Quantitative Risk Analysts/Modellers, particularly in credit risk: An increase in the amount of lending, the move to online applications and IFRS 9 requirements have fuelled demand. 
• Contracts Administrators, Site Managers and Project Managers: Needed across much of the country. 
• Early Childhood Teachers: Qualified candidates are in high demand but short supply. 
• IT Integrators/Coordinators: Skills in both teaching and learning, as well as technical IT expertise, are needed in schools. 
• Renewable experience: As renewable energy becomes increasingly popular, these candidates are needed in the energy sector.

 

 

• Civil and Structural Engineers: Sought across the country in response to various infrastructure, residential and commercial projects. 
• Residential Building Managers: In high demand in eastern states as more high-rise residential projects are completed. 
• Case Managers: Needed in healthcare, specifically the disabilities sector, in response to the NDIS. Employers want candidates with high volume case load experience. 
• Senior HR Advisors and HR Business Partners: Professionals who add value to the bottom line rather than solely offering traditional HR services are sought.
• Senior Claims Consultants and Claims Assessors: Required in the life insurance industry as insurers restructure teams and decrease portfolio sizes for claims staff.
• DevOps Engineers: Given the automation trend, candidates with multiple skills are needed to create agile production environments.
• Mid to senior level Construction and Property Lawyers: Current construction and infrastructure projects and active property markets in certain locations create demand across the in-house, private practice and government sectors. 
• Supply Chain/Inventory Managers: Those with tertiary qualifications and FMCG experience are sought.
• Data Analysts: Needed to manage and manipulate data to gather insights and trends in order to inform, predict and therefore develop targeted calls to action. 
• Clinical Research Associates: Pharma, biotech and medical device companies are outsourcing trials to contract research organisations, which creates this staffing demand.
• Production Managers: Regardless of whether a company manufacturers in Australia or not, products must be assembled and delivered on time and within budget. 
• Change Managers: Adaptable Change Managers who can work across technology, process and cultural change are needed in the government and financial services sectors. 
• Skilled Sales Administrators: Required to support growth in sales teams. Candidates need advanced technical skills and the ability to manage large amounts of data. 
• Residential Property Managers: Sought in many states and territories to grow a rental property business. 
• Store Managers: Needed in response to the growth of retailers.
• Policy Officers: Experienced candidates with strong written and analytical capabilities are wanted to progress government initiatives. 
• Contract Managers: Necessary in many locations due to an increase in bids and tenders.
• Trade-qualified Carpenters: Sought by multiple companies, but there is a skill shortage.