The great Australian skills shortage is being promoted as the next great threat to the workforce, and, by implication, the economy.
Is it true? Of course not. Australians have an abundance of skills, entrepreneurship, innovation and business acumen. What is true is that some Australian businesses are relying on inefficient and ineffective methods for retaining and sourcing talent.
Citing a skills shortage is a useful ruse to cover the fact that there was never an intention to hire externally.Credit:Louie Douvis
Recently, Sydney University was ranked No.2 in Australia and 28th in the world. We pride ourselves as having one of the best universities, and yet we claim we have a talent shortage, definitely not a training shortage. Every year, hundreds of thousands of medical doctors, accountants, legal, commerce and marketing students graduate. Why is there a need for the biggest influx of overseas workers in the history of immigration for 2022-2023?
Simple — it’s all part of the agenda.
First, companies introduced agile methodology, then large corporations introduced working from home, then some companies outsourced jobs overseas. Blue-chip corporations and government departments were flushed with cash, and amazingly we solved that problem. Forget about people you know who own a small business, which were mostly shut down — we delayed the biggest financial crisis in history, and it wasn’t that health one.
We witnessed the biggest surge in house prices since 1987 and shares hits market highs — all while billionaires sent rockets to space. What a time to see such an amazing feat in history, watching the top richest 400 people in the world gain an extra 40 per cent wealth during the pandemic.
Now we somewhat have a skills crisis — that is, the skills of honest Australians. Overlooking the CVs which have taken the time out for an entrepreneurial venture, time off for children or even time out to regroup is apparently a red flag — it has nothing to do with the candidate’s potential value to a company.
Companies are offering incentives to some staff members to recruit from their networks. Not every company can offer these incentives, and it limits the pool they tap into. Hiring does not foster a company’s growth, and it allows the rumour that there is a skill shortage to grow – because it’s useful to the continuation of the practice.
Too often, jobs are created simply to test the market, so they can offer someone internally a raise or keep their current contracting role. These can be called zombie jobs to test the marketplace and see what’s out there. This frustrates the candidates that the company has to interview (legally) and no new skills are added to the business. Do companies do this because there is a skills shortage? No. It is especially common among corporates using contractors. After three years, they have to re-apply for their job. By law, they are required to put a job ad out to the public.
The great skills shortage? We’re not buying it
Source: Philippines Alive
