The nature of skills required for jobs in Victoria is changing. The VSA continues to lead work on the state’s future skills needs through its research, data analysis and engagement activities.
The VSA’s joint project on future skills with Jobs and Skills Australia uses existing skills classification tools to identify new and emerging skills and strengthen existing qualifications. By assessing the alignment of skills acquired in VET qualifications to demand for skills in industry, this research helps to:
- identify potential missing skills or units in qualifications
- identify a ‘common core’ of shared skills to support industry-specific or cross-sectoral qualifications
- identify up-skilling or re-skilling pathways.
The VSA’s State of the Victorian Labour Market Report which accompanies this year’s Skills Plan, provides an updated view of skills in demand in the Victorian labour market. For example, online job advertisement data indicate that communication and leadership skills are needed in nearly half of all jobs posted, while personal attributes such as enthusiasm and a willingness to learn are sought after in over 30 per cent of the postings. Demand for skills related to clean energy, emissions and conservation is also increasing.
Human-centred skills are most commonly requested in the labour market
| Per cent of job advertisements | |
|---|---|
| Communication | 50% |
| Initiative and leadership | 47% |
| Personal attributes | 36% |
| Business management | 30% |
| Critical thinking and problem solving | 24% |
| Project management | 22% |
| Customer service | 22% |
| Business operations | 18% |
| General sales practices | 16% |
| Teaching | 14% |
Employers at the VSA’s industry roundtable on advanced manufacturing highlighted the need for workers who have the skills to work with AI. Requirements include technical and theoretical knowledge, balanced with generic capabilities such as critical thinking, creativity, sound judgement and teamwork.
Similarly, the industry roundtable on the digital economy highlighted the need for workers who can apply human judgement in workplaces that will be increasingly technologically enhanced.
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