Positive employment conditions in Australia despite economic uncertainty

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Created on Wednesday, 18 January 2012 17:34

Written by Editorial staff

A massive survey of Australian business leaders has shown that local sentiments towards hiring and job growth remain high despite financial uncertainty abroad.

Researchers at recruitment specialists Hudson have interviewed over 4,000 employers across the country in their effort to gain an understanding of the direction of the job market in 2012.

The data gained through their efforts has shown that all sectors have been able to maintain a positive hiring outlook.

While 54 per cent of firms were planning on keeping their internal population consistent over the next 12 months, another 35.9 per cent of respondents indicating that they would be moving to actively increase their permanent workforce within the next three months.

In contrast, those looking to reduce staffing numbers were restricted to the remaining 10.1 per cent of executives surveyed.

The Employment Expectations 2012 report identifies the highest levels of expectation to be in the mining markets at a massive 57.7 per cent of new hiring activity, but says that all sectors covered by the survey yielded positive expectations.

In particular the construction and property sectors are expected to increase hiring, driven largely by increased inter-business spending from the resources industry.

Professional services were also shown to be pursuing an increase in permanent staffing with close on half of respondents planning on installing new personnel within the year.

Speaking on the report's findings, Hudson Asia Pacific's chief financial officer Mark Leigh explained that the "positive uplift in expectations" was due to a spike in demand across a broad range of sectors.

Leigh asserted: "Despite the current international uncertainty, and changing conditions at home, employment expectations in Australia on the whole remain positive, particularly in the resources, transport and construction and engineering sectors.

"Furthermore, we expect high demand in certain roles, such as engineering, geology, HSE and operational roles as well as for customer facing IT specialists."

As these markets begin to expand and local talent pools are targeted for experienced workers, savvy managers may begin to investigate the possibilities available through skilled international employees.

Registered migration agents will be able to assist in delivering a range of services to these firms that can help to ensure that an application for sponsorship is accepted by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

While there are a number of legal conditions that need to be met before this kind of hire can be entered into, migration consultants will be able  to advise managers of their chances of success before a decision is made - saving an organisation both time and money in the long term.