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Australian Government Department of Employment Illawarra Priority Employment Area labour market overview – Shoalhaven presentation 15 April 2014.

Presentation given by Ivan Neville Branch Manager Labour Market Research and Analysis Branch based on survey of Illawarra Priority Employment Area conducted February 2014.

Map of Illawarra Priority Employment Area

The Illawarra Priority Employment Area (PEA) is made up of 4 Local Government Areas (LGA)

• Wollongong• Shellharbour• Shoalhaven• Eurobodalla

• Shoalhaven is located in the Southern Highlands and Shoalhaven Statistical Area (SA4) and accounts for 68 per cent of its population.

o The major towns in Southern Highlands and Shoalhaven SA4 are Nowra, Ulladulla, Mittagong and Bowral.

• Wollongong and Shellharbour are wholly located in the Illawarra Statistical Area and account for 93 per cent of its population.

• Eurobodalla is wholly located in the Capital Region Statistical Area and accounts for 17 per cent of its population.

Population and Age Profile

Region Adult (15+) population

Growth (15+) 2007

to 2012

% of adult population

aged 65 years and

over

Median age (Census 2011)

Shoalhaven LGA 80,100 8% 29% 46

Eurobodalla LGA 31,000 4% 32% 50

Shellharbour LGA 52,900 9% 19% 37

Wollongong LGA 166,200 6% 20% 38

Illawarra PEA 330,200 7% 23% 41

New South Wales 5,925,700 8% 17% 38

Australia 18,419,600 10% 18% 37

Source: ABS, Estimated Residential Population, 2012 and 2007; ABS, Census of Population and Housing, 2011 The adult population (15 years+) for the Illawarra PEA in 2012 was 330,200, an increase of 7 per cent from 2007. The adult population for the Shoalhaven has grown by 8 per cent, in line with the growth for NSW (also 8 per cent). The Shellharbour LGA had the largest population growth (9 per cent)

At the time of the 2011 Census, the median age in the Illawarra PEA was 41 years, higher when compared with New South Wales (38 years) and Australia (37 years). The median age was even higher for the Shoalhaven LGA (46 years) and Eurobodalla LGA (50 years).

Both Shoalhaven and Eurobodalla LGAs have an aging population with 29 per cent and 32 per cent of the population aged over 65 years of age respectively. The median age for this groups are 46 and 50 years respectively.

Age distribution between 1991 and 2011 Shoalhaven

Source: ABS, Estimated Residential Population, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, & 2011

Between 1991 and 2011 the largest growth in population in the Shoalhaven LGA has been to the 50 years plus age group. This has coincided with a slight decline in adults aged between 25 to 40 years.

Migration over 5 years to 2011

Source: ABS, Census of Population and Housing, 2011

The age group responsible for the largest migration out of the Shoalhaven area is the 15 to 24 years age group (a net figure of 1600 persons moving out of the LGA).

All other age groups had net migration of people moving into the Shoalhaven area.

The largest migration into the area occurred in the 55 to 64 years age group (a net figure of 1400 persons moving into the LGA).

Age Group Moved out of Shoalhaven

Moved to Shoalhaven

Net migration in

15-24 2,900 1,300 -1,60025-34 1,700 2,300 60035-44 1,400 2,200 80045-54 1,200 1,800 60055-64 1,000 2,400 1,40065+ 1,400 2,300 900

Migrating with a job?

Group

(age at 2011)

Number of People Employed Unemployed Not in the

labour force

WAP 10,000 59% (63%)* 7% (5%)* 34% (32%)*

15-24 1,320 55% 10% (8%)* 35%

25-44 4,510 71% 7% 22%

45-54 1,770 65% (80%)* 8% (3%)* 27% (17%)*

55-64 2,400 35% (60%)* 3% 62% (37%)*

Migrating from Western Sydney 1,680 51% 8% 41%

Note: *RED Numbers in brackets represent labour force status for the total working age population of Shoalhaven at the time of the 2011 Census*GREEN Figures are national 2011 Census figures


People of working age (age at 2011) who had migrated into Shoalhaven LGA between 2006 and 2011 (10,000 persons) were more likely to be unemployed (7 per cent compared with 5 per cent overall) and not in the labour force (34 per cent, compared with 32 per cent overall).

For those people aged 45 to 64 years who lived elsewhere in 2006, the proportions who were not employed (53 per cent) was higher than the overall LGA figure (37 per cent). However, both of these are higher than the national figure of 32 per cent.

The group of people migrating from Western Sydney came from the following LGAs:• Auburn• Blacktown• Holroyd• Parramatta• Penrith• Bankstown• Canterbury• Fairfield• Liverpool• Campbelltown

• Camden• Wollondilly

Of these individuals, only 51 per cent where employed at the time of the 2011 census.

Of the 1,680 migrants from Western Sydney, 9 per cent were aged 15 to 24 years, 44 per cent were aged 25 to 44 years, and 47 per cent were aged 45 to 64 years.

Labour markets and labour supply


The Shoalhaven LGA is the second largest labour market in the Illawarra PEA after Wollongong, and accounts for 23 per cent of total employment (28,900 jobs) in the PEA. All of the LGAs within the Illawarra are slightly more reliant on non-local employment than they are sourcing workers from elsewhere, most particularly Shellharbour whose residents commonly work in Wollongong.

By contrast, the Shoalhaven LGA is relatively self-reliant with the number residents working outside the LGA (3400 persons) being relatively small, but still out numbering those who travel to the LGA for work (2200 persons).

Where do Shoalhaven residents work?


Of those who defined their place of work, 89 per cent (26,700) work locally and 11 per cent (3,400) work outside LGA*. Those who work outside the Shoalhaven LGA were more likely to be employed in higher skilled work, most particularly as Professionals (23 per cent compared with 18 per cent for those who live and work locally). This is even more the case for those who travel to the Shoalhaven for work (32 per cent work as Professionals).

Sydney is by far the most common destination for Shoalhaven residents who work outside the LGA (1,100 persons or 32 per cent of those who work elsewhere), followed by Wollongong (650 persons or 19 per cent of those who work elsewhere). Kiama, Shellharbour and the Australian Capital Territory were also important working destinations.

*33,800 employed people live in Shoalhaven3,700 did not adequately define their place of work

Unemployment Rate

Source: Department of Employment Small Area Labour Markets, December Quarter 2013

The unemployment rate for the Shoalhaven LGA has been consistently above the Illawarra PEA and state unemployment rates since September 2010.

In December 2013, the unemployment rate for Shoalhaven was 10.4 per cent, Illawarra 7.7 per cent and NSW 6.0 per cent.

Regional Disparity

Region

Unemployment Rate Participation Rate Census 2011

(Working Age Population)

December 2013Change

(12 months)

Shoalhaven LGA 10.4% 2.2 % pts 68.1%

Eurobodalla LGA 7.1% 1.1 % pts 66.4%

Shellharbour LGA 6.9% -1.0 % pts 72.9%

Wollongong LGA 7.0% -1.1 % pts 72.5%

Illawarra PEA 7.7% 0.0 % pts 71.1%

New South Wales 5.3%* -0.2 % pts 74.4%

* March 2014, Seasonally Adjusted

Source: Department of Employment, Small Area Labour Markets, December 2013; ABS Census of Population and Housing, 2011; ABS, Labour Force, March 2014 (seasonally adjusted)

In December 2013, the unemployment rate in the Illawarra PEA was 7.7 per cent, higher than the state unemployment rate (5.3 per cent). Shoalhaven had the highest unemployment rate within the PEA (10.4 per cent), an increase of 2.2 percentage points over the 12 months to December 2013, while Shellharbour had the lowest unemployment rate (6.9 per cent).

At the time of the 2011 Census, the participation rate for the Illawarra PEA working age population (71.1 per cent) was lower than New South Wales (74.4 per cent). Shoalhaven had a lower participation rate (68.1 per cent) than that for the PEA overall.

Male full-time employment declining

Source: ABS Labour Force, February 2014 (12 month averages)

Over the five years to 2014, employment has grown by only 3,750 jobs across Illawarra and the Southern Highlands and Shoalhaven SA4s. Growth in part-time employment (2,270 jobs) has outstripped growth in full-time employment (1,480 jobs). Similarly, growth in female employment has outstripped growth in male employment. For males, full-time employment has declined by almost 1500 jobs while for females there has been strong growth in full-time employment (almost 3000 jobs). However, part-time employment has been relatively strong for males.

Below-average participation rate in Shoalhaven


Participation rates for adults in the Shoalhaven LGA are well below the national average, except for young adults (aged 15-24 years) who are less likely to be studying than young adults living elsewhere. Participation rates are particularly low for adult males aged between 45-64 years.

In which Industries do locals work?


The industry in which the largest proportion of locals are employed is the Health and Social Assistance Industry (14 per cent) followed by Retail trade (13 per cent). Public Administration and Safety and Accommodation and Food Services are also important employers and account for a higher proportion of employment within Shoalhaven than they do across Australia overall.

How many locals work in these industries?

Health Care and Social Assistance 4,780Retail Trade 4,330Public Administration and Safety 3,480Accommodation and Food Services 3,180Construction 3,150Manufacturing 2,670Education and Training 2,620Professional, Scientific and Technical Services 1,510

-----------

Total employed workforce 33,210

Slide 14 Structural Change in Industry Employment (% of total employment 2004-2014)

Source: ABS Labour Force, February Quarter 2014 (4 quarter averages)

Over the last ten years, a structural change in the economy of the Illawarra region has seen a shift in employment ways from some industries and growth in others. The Manufacturing, Construction, and Accommodation and Food Services industries now account for a smaller proportion of total employment than they did in 2004. The most significant shift has been towards the Health Care and Social Assistance industry which now accounts for 15 per cent of employment, up 4 percentage points from 2004.

Growth 2004-2014Manufacturing -5,700Construction 0Retail Trade 7,000Accommodation and Food Services 1,700Transport, Postal and Warehousing 2,600Public Administration and Safety 3,200Education and Training 3,000

Health Care and Social Assistance 10,800Total all industries 29,100

Slide 15 Shoalhaven Health Care and Social Assistance workers are employed in:

Source: ABS, Census of Population and Housing, 2006 and 2011

There has been a structural change within the Health Care and Social Assistance industry which has seen considerable growth in employment in Residential Care Services. This sector now accounts for 25 per cent of total employment, up 6 percentage points in the five years to 2011.

The Health Care and Social Assistance workers, employed in Shoalhaven are broken up into the following categories:

• Medical and Other Health Care Services27% 1,170 workers

• Residential Care Services 26% 1,100 workers• Hospital 24% 1,030 workers• Social Assistance Services 23% 1,010 workers

The largest growth in employment within the Shoalhaven Health Care and Social Assistance industry had occurred in the Residential Care Services industry (47% of overall growth in the Health Care and Social Assistance Industry) followed by Social Assistance Services Industry (28 per cent).

This equates to almost 450 workers in the Residential Care Services industry and over 250 workers in the Social Assistance Services Industry

The occupation that has grown most quickly in the Residential Care Services Industry is that of Personal Carers and Assistants, almost an additional 220 workers were employed over the period 2006-2011. An additional 110 Personal Carers and Assistants workers were employed in the Social Assistance Services Industry over the period 2006-2011.

There are approximately 4500 workers in the Shoalhaven Health Care and Social Assistance Industry made up of a great variety of occupations. Within the top 15 occupations as diversified as Midwives and Nurses, Receptionists, Medical Practitioners, and Food Preparation assistants.

The 5 fastest growing occupations (2006-2011) in the Health Care and Social Assistance industry in Shoalhaven are:• Personal Carers and Assistants

360 additional workers employed• Midwifery and Nursing Professionals

180 additional workers employed • Social and Welfare Professionals 70 additional workers employed • Child Carers 50 additional workers employed • Health Therapy Professionals 40 additional workers employed

Long-term unemployment

Region

Long-term unemployed(52 weeks or more)

Persons Per cent of all unemployed

Southern Highlands andShoalhaven SA4 1,600 33%

Illawarra SA4 2,900 31%

New South Wales 48,300 22%

Source: ABS, Labour Force, February 2013 (12 month averages)

Long-term unemployed are those who have been out of work and looking for work for 52 weeks or more. In the Southern Highlands and Shoalhaven SA4, the long-term unemployed account for a larger proportion of the total unemployed (33 per cent) when compared with Australia (22 per cent).

High rates of income support

Region

Proportion of the working age population (WAP) on

Centrelink benefits

Unemployment benefits

Disability benefits

Shoalhaven LGA 26% 8% 10%

Eurobodalla LGA 29% 9% 12%

Shellharbour LGA 20% 6% 7%

Wollongong LGA 20% 6% 7%

Illawarra PEA 22% 7% 8%

New South Wales 17% 5% 5%

Source: Department of Employment administrative data, December 2013 and September 2012; ABS, Estimated Residential Population, 2012

In December 2013, 22 per cent of the working age population in the Illawarra PEA were in receipt of an income support payment. This was larger when compared with New South Wales overall (17 per cent).

Some 7 per cent of the working age population in the Illawarra PEA were in receipt of an unemployment benefit, higher than Australia (5 per cent). Eurobodalla and Shoalhaven had the largest proportion of the working age population in receipt of unemployment benefits (9 per cent and 8 per cent respectively).

Some 8 per cent of the working age population within the Illawarra PEA were in receipt of Disability Support Payments, this was larger compared to both New South Wales and Australia (both 5 per cent). Similarly, the working age populations in Eurobodalla and Shoalhaven had high levels of people receiving Disability Support Payments (12 per cent and 10 per cent respectively).

The recipients on social security payments is particularly high among the indigenous population where 36 per cent of the Indigenous working age population are in receipt of some form of benefit compared with 16 per cent of the Non-Indigenous population

What are 45 to 64 year olds doing?

Source: Department of Employment administrative data, December 2013; ABS, Estimated Residential Population, 2012

Reliance on Income Support Payments is particularly high for those aged 45 to 64 years in the Shoalhaven when compared with Australia overall. This is especially so for those aged 55 to 64 years. Disability Support Payments are the most common payment and a far higher proportion of the age group receive this payment when compared to Australia overall.

45 to 54 year olds

• Percentage of Males aged 45 to 54 NILF19% (nationally 12%)

• Percentage of Females aged 45 to 54 NILF24% (nationally 21%)

55 to 64 year olds

• Percentage of Males aged 55 to 64 NILF45% (nationally 29%)

• Percentage of Females aged 55 to 64 NILF56% (nationally 45%)

High rate of family joblessness

Region

Number of children in

jobless families*

Number of jobless families (2011)

Proportion of all families

who are jobless (2011)

Proportion of lone-parent families who are jobless

(2011)

Shoalhaven LGA 3,430 1,710 21% 50%

Eurobodalla LGA 1,280 610 22% 47%

Shellharbour LGA 2,410 1,140 16% 48%

Wollongong LGA 5,730 2,880 16% 48%

Illawarra PEA 12,850 6,340 17% 48%

Australia 606,490 294,880 14% 44%

Source: ABS, Census of Population and Housing, 2006 and 2011 * as Census 2011 includes families with six children or more under the one classification, the numbers of children in the above slide are a minimum as an exact number is not available.

One in six (17 per cent) families with children under 15 years of age in the Illawarra PEA did not have an employed parent, which was higher than the rate for NSW and Australia (15 per cent and 14 per cent respectively).

The Eurobodalla and Shoalhaven LGAs have the highest level levels of family joblessness (22 per cent and 21 per cent respectively).

Shoalhaven had the largest proportion of lone-parent families who were jobless (50 per cent). Shoalhaven also has the second highest number of children in a jobless family in the PEA after Wollongong (3430 children).

Since 2006 there has been a decrease in the number of all families who are jobless in the Illawarra PEA (9 per cent) compared with a 6 per cent decrease across NSW.

Indigenous Labour Market Outcomes

Region

% of Working Age Population Indigenous

Unemployment Rate (WAP)

Participation Rate (WAP)

Indigenous Non-Indigenous Indigenous Non-

Indigenous

Shoalhaven LGA 5% 21.6% 7.3% 53.0% 68.9%

Eurobodalla LGA 5% 28.2% 6.8% 48.4% 67.4%

Shellharbour LGA 3% 16.2% 6.6% 57.0% 73.4%

Wollongong LGA 2% 17.9% 6.8% 59.2% 72.9%

Illawarra PEA 3% 20.2% 6.9% 55.2% 71.7%

New South Wales 2% 17.0% 5.8% 56.4% 75.0%


In 2011, the proportion of the working age population who identify as being Indigenous in the Illawarra PEA (3 per cent) is slightly above the New South Wales average (2 per cent). Shoalhaven and Eurobodalla have the figure is higher (both 5 per cent).

The Indigenous unemployment rate in Illawarra is almost 3 times higher than the unemployment rate of the Non-Indigenous population in the PEA (20.2 per cent compared to 6.9 per cent). Indigenous labour market outcomes are even poorer in Shoalhaven and Eurobodalla, with unemployment rates of 21.6 per cent and 28.2 per cent respectively. These two LGAs also have low participation rates for Indigenous persons (53.0 per cent and 48.4 per cent respectively compared with Non-Indigenous participation figures of 68.9 per cent for the Shoalhaven and 67.4 per cent in Eurobodalla).

Lower educational attainment – persons aged 25-34 years

Region

Completed Year 12 Highest non-school qualification

2006 2011

Completed no

further study

Advanced Diploma,

Diploma or Certificate III &

IV

Attained Bachelor Degree

or Higher

Shoalhaven LGA 49% 55% 28% 42% 15%

Eurobodalla LGA 47% 51% 31% 39% 14%

Shellharbour LGA 49% 55% 28% 42% 15%

Wollongong LGA 63% 69% 22% 34% 31%

Illawarra PEA 57% 63% 25% 37% 24%

New South Wales 70% 75% 23% 29% 37%

Australia 69% 75% 24% 29% 34%

Source: ABS, Census of Population and Housing, 2006 and 2011

At the time of the 2011 Census, the proportion of 25 to 34 year olds in the Illawarra PEA who had completed Year 12 or equivalent was 63 per cent, smaller than New South Wales and Australia (both 75 per cent). This varied across the PEA, with Eurobodalla having the smallest Year 12 attainment level (51 per cent of 25 to 34 year olds), while Wollongong had the largest (69 per cent).

In Shoalhaven, a low proportion (55 per cent) of 25 to 34 year olds had completed year 12 or equivalent compared to the NSW and national averages (both 75 per cent). Similarly, a low proportion (15 per cent) of 25 to 34 year olds had attained a Bachelor Degree or higher compared with the NSW and national averages (37 per cent and 34 per cent respectively).

Since 2006, there was a 6 percentage point increase in Year 12 completion in both the Illawarra PEA and Shoalhaven, slightly higher than NSW overall (5 percentage point increase).

Job seekers who have not completed Year 12 and have limited experience in the workforce are likely to lack many basic employability skills that employers value and look for in applicants, particularly for lower skilled vacancies and entry level positions such as apprenticeships and traineeships. The proportion of 25 to 34 year olds who had attained an Advanced Diploma, Diploma or Certificate level III or IV in the Illawarra PEA (37 per cent) was higher than state and national averages (both 29 per cent). The proportion who had attained a Bachelor Degree or higher (24 per cent) was lower than the state and national averages (37 per cent and 34 per cent respectively).

Education levels of the Indigenous working age population

Shoalhaven LGA Indigenous Non-Indigenous

Completed Year 12 22% 38%

Highest non-school qualification

Bachelor Degree or higher 5% 14%

Advanced Diploma, Diploma or Certificate III & IV 25% 35%


The education figures for the area as a whole are not encouraging, however, the education levels of the Indigenous population are even lower with only 22 per cent of the Indigenous working aged population having completed year 12 or equivalent levels of study compared to 38 per cent of the Non-Indigenous population.

Educational Attainment and Labour Market Outcomes

Source: ABS, Census of Population and Housing, 2011 There is a strong relationship between educational attainment and employment outcomes. For those aged 25 to 34 years in the Illawarra PEA, there were high unemployment rates for those who had completed Certificate I & II but did not complete Year 12 (15.5 per cent) and those who did not complete Year 12 without any further post school qualification (15.4 per cent).

Unemployment rates are lower for those who have completed a tertiary education at the Bachelor degree, Advanced Diploma and Diploma Level. This emphasises the importance post school education has in ensuring success in gaining employment. It should also be noted that employment outcomes are vastly better for those who have attained Certificate Levels III or IV than for those who have not completed Year 12 or only attained Certificate Levels I & II.

Literacy and numeracy

Region

Proportion of Year 9 Government school students who did not meet minimum standards for:

Reading Numeracy

Shoalhaven LGA 15% 24%

Eurobodalla LGA 5% 16%

Shellharbour LGA 10% 18%

Wollongong LGA 13% 13%

Australia 5% 8%

Source: MySchool website, 2013

The Proportion of year 9 government school students, from a selected school in the Shoalhaven LGA, who did not meet the minimum standards for reading, are 15 per cent and numeracy are 24 per cent.

The Proportion of year 9 government school students, from a selected school in the Eurobodalla LGA, who did not meet the minimum standards for reading, are 5 per cent and numeracy are 16 per cent.

The Proportion of year 9 government school students, from a selected school in the Shellharbour LGA, who did not meet the minimum standards for reading, are 10 per cent and numeracy are 18 per cent.

The Proportion of year 9 government school students, from a selected school in the Wollongong LGA, who did not meet the minimum standards for reading, are 15 per cent and numeracy are 24 per cent.

School % Indigenous studentsEurobodalla LGA – Batemans Bay High School 13%Shellharbour LGA – Lake Illawarra High School 12%Shoalhaven LGA – Vincentia High School 14%Wollongong LGA – Warrawong High School 8%

Slide 25 Youth unemployment

Region

Youth unemployment rate

(15 – 24 years) February 2014

Youth participation rate

(15-24 years) February 2014

Southern Highlands and Shoalhaven SA4 14.2% 67.6%

Illawarra SA4 17.0% 67.6%

New South Wales 11.8% 64.5%

Australia 12.3% 66.7%

Source: ABS, Labour Force, February 2014 (12 month averages)

Youth unemployment is high in both Illawarra and Southern Highlands and Shoalhaven SA4s and well above state and national levels. Nevertheless, youth participation is higher in both regions when compared to the state and national figures.

What are youth doing? Illawarra PEA


Of the 18 to 24 year old cohort in the Illawarra PEA, 47 per cent are studying, a figure similar to that for NSW (48 per cent). In contrast, only 32 per cent of 18 to 24 year old in the Shoalhaven were studying.

Of these 18 to 24 year olds 53 per cent were not studying (68 per cent for Shoalhaven). Of these:

15 per cent were not employed at the time of census compared to 13 per cent for NSW and 21 per cent for Shoalhaven)

6 per cent had competed Year 12 of equivalent (this figure is also 6 per cent for NSW and 7 per cent for Shoalhaven)

9 per cent had not competed Year 12 study (compared to a figure of 7 per cent in NSW and 14 per cent for Shoalhaven)

Of the 22 per cent of 18 to 24 year olds who were not studying, employed and had completed year 12, 31 per cent were working part time (this figure is 26 per cent for NSW and 35 per cent for Shoalhaven).

Proportion neither studying nor working


In the Shoalhaven LGA, 18 per cent of males aged between 20 and 24 years of age were neither studying nor employed compared to 14 per cent in the Illawarra PEA and 12 per cent for New South Wales

Females aged 20 to 24 years of age are even less likely to be employed or studying in Shoalhaven (25 per cent) compared to Illawarra (17 per cent) and New South Wales (15 per cent).

Parenting Payment Partnered / Parenting Payment Single

20 to 24 year olds Shoalhaven 8% (6% on PPS) NSW & Australia 4% (3% on PPS)

Improving Youth labour market outcomes

Source: Department of Employment, Survey of Employers’ Recruitment Experiences Illawarra Priority Employment Area, February 2014

Employers in Illawarra were asked for feedback on strategies to improve labour market outcomes for youth.

The majority of employers (53 per cent) believed that employability and labour market engagement were the most important factors in improving youth labour market outcomes, most particularly:

Attitude/motivation Presentation Job seeker expectations

A substantial proportion of employers, (30 per cent) believed that, further developing work skills were most important for youth, in particular:

School based work experience Education

Traineeships

Slide 29 Some weaker signs in the survey results

Shoalhaven Illawarra PEA

(February 2014)

All PEAs surveyed

(9 months to November

2013)

February 2014 May 2013

Annual vacancies per 100 staff 14 15 16 14

Increased staff 14% 18% 16% 17%

Decreased staff 20% 17% 20% 24%

Source: Department of Employment, Survey of Employers’ Recruitment Experiences, Illawarra Priority Employment Area, February 2014; All PEAs surveyed in the 9 months to November 2013

The survey results indicate a softening in labour markets conditions across Shoalhaven. Recruitment activity had decreased over the year (from 15 vacancies to 14 vacancies per 100 staff). The proportion of employers who had decreased staff during the 12 month preceding the survey was larger than those who had increased staff. The opposite was true in 2013.

Illawarra internet vacancies falling behind

Source: Department of Employment Vacancy Report, February 2014 (three month moving average)

There was a significant decline in internet job vacancies in Illawarra and South Coast in the 12 months to February 2014 (1,140 vacancies, down 8 per cent over the year). This contrasts with a recent jump in vacancies for the remainder of New South Wales (53,430, up 14 per cent over the year to February 2014).

Note: The Illawarra PEA is wholly situated in the Illawarra and South Coast IVI region and accounts for 95 per cent of its population. Kiama is the only LGA not situated in the Illawarra PEA that is situated within the Illawarra and South Coast IVI region.

Competition for vacancies within industries


Competition for vacancies varied across industries. The Health Care and Social Assistance industry had the high levels of competition, whereas the Construction and Manufacturing industries had relatively low levels of competition.

The large numbers of applicants per position in the Health Care and Social Assistance industry are due to competition for job vacancies among Clerical and Administrative workers. For this group of workers there was an average of 90 applicants per vacancies over the past 12 months with an average of 10 applicants qualifying for an interview.

Competition is lower for the aged care and personal care workers where there are approximately 6 applicants for every position.

Informal recruitment popular


Employers in the Illawarra PEA relied on informal recruitment methods only, such as word of mouth and being approached by job seekers, almost as commonly as formal methods, such as newspapers, the internet and recruitment agencies. Additionally, vacancies for which employers used informal recruitment methods attracted less than one quarter the number of applicants (4 applicants with 2 interviewed) than when the employers used formal methods (17 applicants with 4 interviewed). This highlights the value of job seekers actively approaching employers when looking for work.

Reasons applicants did not get an interview when employed used formal methods of recruitment were lack of experience, poor job application and insufficient qualifications.

Reasons applicants did not get an interview when employed used informal methods of recruitment were lack of experience, lack of soft skills and applicants availability for work.

Personality Traits and Employability Skills employers in Illawarra viewed as essential for position


There were was range of general employability skills and personality traits that employers in the Illawarra commonly viewed as essential for the position they recently recruited for.

Employability skills commonly considered essential included: Communication Teamwork Customer Skills Self-Management

Personality traits commonly considered essential included: Attitude and Motivation Reliability, Honesty and Work Ethic Presentation

Future Staffing Expectations


Overall, staffing expectations in Shoalhaven were moderately positive with 38 per cent of employers expecting to recruit in the 12 months following the survey compared with 37 per cent for all PEAs surveyed in the 9 months to November 2013. Importantly, more than 10 times the number of employers expected to increase staff numbers (22 per cent of employers) compared with those expecting to decrease staff (2 per cent).

Across the Illawarra PEA, employers were most positive in the Health Care and Social Assistance industry, while those in the Construction and Accommodation and Food Services industries had a subdued outlook overall. The outlook for the Retail Trade was moderate. Encouragingly, at the time of the survey, recruitment expectations in the Manufacturing industry were slightly better than the average across all industries. Manufacturing accounts for 10 per cent of total employment in Illawarra compared with 11 per cent for Australia.

Opportunities exist across occupations

31 per cent of employers in Illawarra anticipate recruiting in the 12 months following the survey, most commonly for:

Sales Assistants (General) Bar Attendants and Baristas

General Clerks Motor Mechanics *

Child Carers Receptionists

Truck Drivers * Accounting Clerks

Sales Representatives Housekeepers *

Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teachers *

* Employers reported these occupations were also difficult to fill


Some 31 per cent of employers expected to recruit in the 12 months following the survey. Positions for which employers expected to recruit covered a range of occupations including lower skilled and entry level occupations.

Other occupations found difficult to fill in our survey were: Chefs Electricians Real Estate Agents

Greatest concern for the future (in the 12 months following the survey)

Source: Department of Employment, Survey of Employers’ Recruitment Experiences Illawarra Priority Employment Area, February 2014 By far the greatest future concern for employers in Shoalhaven was a downturn in the economy and demand for their services/products (38 per cent of employers). Recruitment or staff retention difficulty were concerns for 14 per cent of employers. Other major concerns were costs/wages and regulations.

Most common ‘other’ concerns were Competition and Cash flow/funding.

Conclusion• Labour market challenges:

• Unemployment high• Recruitment activity falling• Low participation; high number of income support recipients• Demographic change: ageing population; young people leaving the area• Future labour supply

• Disadvantaged groups: • Vulnerable and disengaged youth; persons with lower levels of education; long-

term unemployed; jobless families and intergenerational unemployment; Indigenous population

• Opportunities exist• Major growth industries (Health)• Ageing population leaving a labour force gap• Employers expecting to recruit for a broad range of occupations and many difficult

to fill including lower skilled• Improved opportunities for job seekers who actively approach employers

• Job seekers need to be job-ready and engaged in the labour market• Employability skills a must

• Continued employer engagement• Stakeholder collaboration, including working with the Local Employment Coordinator

Contacts

If you have any questions about the presentation please contact the Employer Surveys Section or Recruitment Analysis Section on:

Tel: 1800 059 439 or Email: [email protected]

More information on labour market conditions and other research on small areas can be found on these web sites

LMIP: www.employment.gov.au/LMIPSkills Shortages: www.employment.gov.au/SkillShortagesRegional Reports: www.employment.gov.au/RegionalReportsAustralian Jobs: www.employment.gov.au/australianjobsJob Outlook: www.joboutlook.gov.au

A report on the survey findings for the Illawarra PEA will be placed on the regional reports section of the Department of Employment - Regional Reports web site.

Thank you.

http://www.joboutlook.gov.au/

http://www.employment.gov.au/australianjobs

http://www.employment.gov.au/RegionalReports

http://www.employment.gov.au/SkillShortages

http://www.employment.gov.au/LMIP

mailto:[email protected]

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