Peter Andersen, General Manager, NTHA Trainees & Apprentices

The latest job figures released by the ABS in their labour surveys show that Australia’s unemployment rate was 3.8% in December 2023, up slightly from the 3.6% reported in September. Notably, unemployment has not been consistently under 4% since the early 1970s.

Job vacancies have declined over the past year, however remain double that prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. 2.6% of all jobs in Australia are currently vacant.

An important statistic for all employers to note is that 9.5% of Australia’s workforce changed employers in the year to February 2023. This is a figure we will watch closely as the statistics flow through in the coming months and reinforces the importance of ensuring employees feel valued and are seeing career opportunities. While the highest turnover rate was in Hospitality, the figures for retail and administration are well above average.

What does this mean to NTHA and our members?

The employment market is improving as the unemployment rate increases. It’s only marginal but it is a significant improvement on where it was at two years ago. This means we are seeing a higher calibre of appropriate applicants for trainee and apprentice positions we are recruiting.

The retention of employees is a challenging issue. I have written in past months in this newsletter about the benefits of traineeships for new entrant workers. These benefits revolve around the changing needs and wants of job seekers. Job satisfaction of the new generation of workers revolves around feeling that their efforts are appreciated; and that they are rewarded appropriately for their work – and that is not necessarily in monetary terms, but also work/life balance, education and the ability to see progress; and that their workplace is free from bullying, harassment and is encouraging.

As the employment market changes with a new generation of job seekers joining, so too must our recruitment and retention practices. The NTHA Trainees & Apprentices team works with school leavers and young job seekers daily, gaining a solid understanding of their work expectations and career goals.