Australiaís Labour Shortage and Employers Options

Australiaís record low unemployment has created a severe labour shortage across all industry sectors whilst most organisations are looking at expansion, what is the answer? There is no quick and easy solution, employers need to look at a variety of options to best fit their business and industry.

Firstly, employers must look at their situation both now and into the future. Having a clear understanding of current and future staffing requirements enables employers to plan the best options for successful recruitment and training. For such a plan to be successful employers need to look into the future so recruitment strategies in a labour short market can be achieved, therefore reducing the pressure and demands within organisations. Developing the mix of recruitment and training into a long term strategy needs to be both structured and flexible, situations can change at short notice with the unexpected loss of valuable, key personnel.

Recruitment and training is just the beginning, organisations need to be aware and focussed on employee retention, strategies will need to be developed and introduced. Examples of proven successful retention strategies are;

staff loyalty programs
non financial incentives
training
more flexibility in working hours
varied management styles
welcoming and new staff retention
attractive performance bonuses
career advancement opportunities

Employers need to look at a variety of options to retain staff it is this technique which will make their recruitment and training strategies more successful. As there are options for retention there is also options for recruitment offering both short and long term solutions, such as;

apprenticeships
traineeships
graduate programs
part time / casual employees
government assisted programs
juniors
contract labour
international labour
traditional recruitment
head hunting

Training is very position and business specific with many options from university or tafe institutions, private training firms thru to in house training and can cover anything from 5 years courses down to short informal specific on job training.

The labour shortage has no short term solution and employers should be developing a flexible mix of solutions to secure a successful future.