Your Job Report for 2018: Earlier this year, Skillstalk took you through the Australian industries expecting growth in 2017. As 2018 approaches we have decided to do the same because keeping updated with 2018 career trends is important for anyone who is in the process of making decisions about their future and choosing an online course.
According to the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) economic growth in Australia is starting to recover from the downturn caused by the decline in industries such as agriculture and mining, and projected growth should almost reach 3% by 2018.
This may well be a good time for Australians considering a career change, especially if they consider the 2018 job trends, as full-time employment is also on the increase. The June 2017 Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show that 124,000 additional people had, at that point in the year, entered full time employment since September 2016. We list 6 of the predicted growth jobs in 2018.
#1: Technology Sustainability
Across Australia information technology systems are now vital to the successful working of all businesses and industries. According to the Labour Market Information Portal, ‘Computer System Design and Related Services’ is predicted an impressive 24.6% growth in the 5 years up to 2022. Technology sustainability is the process of ensuring that any IT or telecommunications developments within an organisation or wider situation are designed, tested and implemented in ways that will meet not only present needs, but also those of future generations.
These requirements might include scalability, expectations towards increased responsiveness or growing data requirements. 2018 job trends in this area include IT sustainability systems consultant, IT sustainability project manager and IT sustainability technology specialist. Positions are open to those with specific, degree level training who also have a range of senior network engineering and other ICT experience. The average weekly pay for ICT managers is $2,105 before tax.
#2: Child Care
With the reduction in unemployment, for example 26,000 additional Australians were employed in July 2017, and the growth in numbers of women in full time employment (46% of the total 12.0 million full time workers aged 15 or over), Australia’s requirements for child care have greatly increased.
In the 5 years up to 2022 employment opportunities in child care are projected a 13.7% growth rate. 2018 career trends for child care include roles such as out of school carers or day care employees for those with Certificate level qualifications, and childhood education managers, children’s services coordinators or program leaders for those who have undertaken a Diploma level child care qualification.
The recognition of the importance of quality child care has grown considerably over recent years and most child care jobs require candidates to hold or be working towards government approved qualification levels. The average weekly pay for a child carer is $800 before tax.
#3: Community Services
‘Health Care and Social Assistance’ remains the largest employing industry in Australia with 1,509,200 workers stated in the Australian Jobs Report 2017. In the 5 years up to 2022 this trend is set to continue with a predicted 16.1% growth in the 2017 Industry Employment Projections. Workers in the community services sector may have qualifications at all levels from Certificate to Bachelor and beyond. Examples of jobs at Certificate level include community care worker, nursing assistant and disability service officer.
Bachelor level graduates can expect to take on management roles in sectors such as community services, disability services and housing services. ‘Residential Care Services’ are amongst those with the highest predicted job growths in 2018 and the years up to 2022, with a 15.6% growth projection. The average weekly pay for aged and disabled carers is $900 before tax.
#4: Logistics
Growth in the ‘Transport, Postal and Warehousing’ employment sector is expected to slow slightly during the 5 years up to 2022 but will still remain one of the Australian industries expecting growth in 2018. The Australian Jobs Report 2017 states a growth of 7.1% in the 5 years up to 2016 with the government’s 2017 Employment Projections predicting growth of 6.5% in the years up to 2022. One job area in this sector that is expected to experience decline is that of marine transport professionals.
Qualifications for this sector cover a wide range of skills including environmentally sustainable work practices, forklift operation and inventory systems. Those studying logistics up to Diploma level will also learn customer management, people performance skills and how to deal with wider operational procedures. Career outcomes range from logistics or stock clerk for those qualified to Certificate level to supply and distribution manager for those with Diploma level qualifications.
The average weekly pay for couriers and postal deliverers who are generally qualified to High School or Certificate 1 level is $1,000 before tax. Forklift drivers earn a similar amount but require a Certificate II or III level qualification. The average weekly pay for a supply chain manager is $2,014.
#5: Marketing
Marketing careers cross all industry sectors including all 4 of the highest growth areas for 2017, ‘Health Care and Social Assistance’, ‘Retail Trade’, ‘Construction’ and ‘Professional, Scientific and Technical Services’. This level of reach and variety makes employment growth predictions tricky to pin down but if we look across a selection of sectors that include marketing roles, it is clear that most are going to require a considerable amount of marketing for the years to 2022:
- ‘Health Care and Social Assistance’ – 16.1% predicted growth
- ‘Education and Training’ – 12.0% predicted growth
- ‘Accommodation and Food Services’ – 11.2% predicted growth
- ‘Construction’ – 10.9% predicted growth
If 2018 trends in global marketing follow recent patterns social media marketing will continue to grow in significance. In 2016 90% of marketers emphasised the importance of social media to their business and 63% of them use social media for 6 or more hours a week. This suggests that job roles that are essential to social media marketing, are job trends to watch for 2018. These include:
- ‘Internet Publishing and Broadcasting’ – 20.9% predicted growth
- ‘Market Research and Statistical Services’ – 19.2% predicted growth
Qualifications for marketing and communication exist at Certificate, Diploma and Bachelor level but specific qualifications to cover social media marketing are relatively new. Those who qualify in marketing and communications at Certificate level may find employment for example as marketing or public relations officers, whilst those who undertake a Diploma level social media marketing course open up opportunities in roles such as digital marketing managers, content strategists and social media consultants. The average weekly pay for a digital marketing manager is $1524 and for a public relations officer is $1147.
#6: Hospitality Management
‘Café and Restaurant Managers’ are currently amongst the top 5 manager occupations with over 68,900 Australians presently employed in this role. According to government 2017 employment projections the ‘Accommodation and Food Services’ sector – is predicted 11.2% growth in the years up to 2022 with ‘Cafes, Restaurants and Takeaway Food Services’ set to take the biggest share of growth. Hospitality is clearly a stable and growing career, which is great news for those currently training or considering a qualification in hospitality management.
Most managers hold post-school qualifications at vocational (32%) or Bachelor or higher (37%) level and hospitality management qualifications are available at Bachelor level. The average weekly pay for a restaurant manager is $1,048.
Whilst Australia’s growth jobs in 2018 are still moving away from agriculture and manufacture towards more service and technology based industry sectors it clear that 2018 and the years beyond are set to bring subtle changes in emphasis. Australia’s economy remains dynamic but thankfully in growth (3.1% in 2017 and 3% in 2018). This represents opportunity for those who are flexible enough to either consider new careers or take a new direction within their existing career.
Your Job Report for 2018 shows you potential areas of focus for your learning
By planning ahead and ensuring that they have the required experience and qualifications, the Australian workforce will be well placed to make the most of this growth. Upskilled is one of Australia’s most experienced Registered Training Organisations and offers a range of courses to suit all levels of employment, across a wide variety of industry sectors. Contact Upskilled today for expert advice.
Fi Darby
Fi is a professional copywriter based in Devon, England. She specialises in education, careers, travel and outdoor writing and is the co-author of the popular daily outdoor blog 'Two Blondes Walking'. Fi has written three children's books and, when she isn't writing, Fi loves to gather inspiration from long walks, early morning sea swims and winter wild camps.