Specialist recruitment job employment agency, Hays, has revealed the skills that will be in greatest demand in 2021.
The recruiter has outlined close to 100 skills that will be in greatest demand across 27 sectors and industries next year, including in energy, engineering, logistics and resources and mining. Let’s take a closer look:
Energy
Within Australia’s energy jobs market, the skills in greatest demand are:
Grid Connections Engineers/Managers with experience managing the development and construction of projects. Congestion and system strength issues are adding to this demand;
CEC Accredited Electricians who can work on an increasing number of residential, commercial and industrial solar projects;
Power Systems Engineers with experience working across power generation, transmission and distribution components to connect renewable energy projects to the grid;
Electrical Engineers in renewables and R&D in response to recent investments in clean energy projects and the resulting surge in activity. Energy storage, biofuels and power generation skills are sought;
CEC Accredited Electrical Engineers who can take on principal roles with design consultancies and owner-operators due to an increase in solar projects, from domestic through to utility;
Structural Designers to work in design consultancies, again in response to an increase in solar projects.
Engineering
Within Australia’s engineering jobs market, the skills in greatest demand are:
Control Systems Engineers with multiple platform hardware and software experience in addition to qualifications in machine safety. These candidates are required as engineering consultancies increase headcount for integration projects in the food and manufacturing industries, and for capital projects in the resources and heavy industries;
Civil Designers with formal qualifications who can work in a consultancy and focus on land subdivision and earthworks relating to stormwater and sewage planning. Multiple software package exposure is required as varied platforms are typically used, including Revit, AutoCAD, Civil 3D and 12D;
Civil and Structural Engineers for consultancies with a mix of civil and structural experience in addition to experience managing design teams and CPEng certification.
Logistics
Within Australia’s logistics jobs market, the skills in greatest demand are:
Warehouse Managers with experience in WMS, reducing operating costs, labour spend management and managing a team of approximately 15 people. System implementation skills are a bonus;
Fleet Controllers with experience managing large fleets of both company-owned drivers and sub-contractors, strong communication skills and the ability to manage drivers and customers at a senior level;
Transport Operations Managers with extensive experience managing teams within fast-paced domestic road operations. Strong commercial acumen, an expert understanding of cost levers across operation, especially truck utilisation and route planning, and expertise in NHVAS and OH&S are essential.
Manufacturing and Operations
Within Australia’s manufacturing and operations jobs market, the skills in greatest demand are:
Production/Operations Managers with extensive experience across FMCG and packaging along with ERP/MRP experience and the ability to manage a team of approximately 10 people;
Quality Managers/Supervisors with strong experience in exports, a HACCP qualification and good Halal manufacturing experience;
Reliability/Continuous Improvement Engineers across the entire manufacturing industry with a health, safety and environment background.
Resources and Mining
Within Australia’s resources and mining jobs market, the skills in greatest demand are:
Mobile Plant Operators – these candidates are in extremely short supply, with interest impacted by the potential to automate these roles;
Heavy Diesel (HD) Fitters who can service additional machinery brought onto mine sites as production increases. Existing skill shortages in this area show no sign of abating;
Mine Engineers with drill and blast experience as gold and iron ore mines increase production. With fewer graduates choosing a career in mining, demand continues to exceed supply.
