ANZSCO 3411-11 Queensland Electrician (General) September 2016

ANZSCO 3411-11 Queensland

Electrician (General) September 2016 Current labour market rating No Shortage Previous labour market rating (September 2015) No Shortage

Comments This year’s survey indicates that there is currently no shortage of electricians (general) in Queensland. Metropolitan and regional employers were able to fill a large majority of vacancies with suitably qualified and experienced electricians. Survey results Surveyed employers filled 89 per cent of vacancies for electricians (general) within four weeks of initial advertising, compared to 69 per cent in last year’s survey. During 2016 the metropolitan and regional fill rates were 91 per cent and 88 per cent respectively, compared with 63 per cent and 80 per cent in 2015. All surveyed vacancies attracted qualified electricians, however many applicants did not have the required experience in the particular sector or type of work advertised. Some positions remained unfilled because employers could not reach an agreement with suitably qualified applicants over remuneration or because candidates lacked the skills and experience to work independently in particular roles. On average, there were 38.9 qualified applicants per vacancy across the State. Metropolitan employers received 46.6 qualified applicants per vacancy compared to 28.4 for regional employers. Employers received 10.1 suitable applicants per vacancy which was substantially higher than the 2.4 suitable applicants per vacancy reported in last year’s survey.

Unsuitable applicants The main reasons applicants were considered unsuitable by employers were lack of relevant skills or experience across domestic, industrial and commercial fields. Other reasons for unsuitability included the lack of communication or customer service skills. Demand and supply trends Entry to this trade is usually through the completion of an apprenticeship incorporating a Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician, a Certificate IV in Electrotechnology - Systems Electrician, or through a dual Electrician/Electronic Instrument apprenticeship. Electricians must be licensed with the Electrical Safety Office and the Queensland Building and Construction Commission to carry out electrical or building work in Queensland. The majority of electricians across Queensland are employed in construction, manufacturing, mining and electrical distribution services. Many contacts advised that the available pool of qualified electricians had increased due to the reduced demand for electrical services in construction and mining. Demand for electricians is predominantly dependent on the level of activity in the building and construction industry. Construction has increased in Queensland over the last year, with data from the

Labour Economics Office Queensland Department of Employment Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) showing that the total value of building work done over the year to March 2016 was around $18.7 billion, an increase of 8.7 per cent over the year.1 The most recent ABS data shows the total dwellings approved in Queensland fell 3.2 per cent in June 2016 and has fallen for five consecutive months.2 Figures from National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) shows that in the year March 2016, there were 1820 apprenticeship commencements for electricians, an increase of 2.1 per cent from the same period the previous year.3 According to data obtained from NCVER, there were 1675 apprenticeship completions in for electricians in the year to March 2016, compared to 1672 in the year to March 2015.4

1 ABS, 8752.0 - Building Activity, Australia, Mar 2016, (Table 2) chain volume measures, trend data, http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/[email protected]/DetailsPage/8752.0Mar%202016?OpenDocument 2 ABS, 8731.0 - Building Approvals Australia, Jun 2016, (Table 3), trend data, http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/[email protected]/DetailsPage/8731.0Jun%202016?OpenDocument 3 NCVER, Apprentices and Trainees collections, March 2016, limited to Certificate III, 4 Ibid Labour Economics Office Queensland Department of Employment