80% of Tradies Browsing Job Ads Once a Week

In a worrying sign for employers trying to attract and retain staff in the current skills shortage, employees within the trades and services industry are looking at other job opportunities more often than any other sector, with 80% of tradespeople browsing job advertisements at least once a week

The SEEK Satisfaction and Motivation survey also revealed that 48% of tradies only intend on staying with their current employer for a year or less, with 23% of this group planning on staying for less than three months.

According to SEEK Sales Director Joe Powell, the federal government has been proactive in offering incentives to encourage Australians to work in the trade industry but much of the responsibility for attracting and retaining staff must fall to employers.

ìStarting out in a trade can be a lot more challenging than starting out in other industries. Salaries are low and learning a new skill and job needs to be balanced with the demands of study commitments.

ìRecognition on the job can make a real difference. 34% of tradespeople told us that reward for individual performance would encourage them to stay with their current employer, while 58% said that the quality of management is extremely important to them when they look for a new job,î he said.

When asked what aspects of management they respect most, openness and honesty (73%), the ability to follow up words with actions (72%) and supporting their team (64%) were the most highly favoured.

ìBosses need to ensure that they act as mentors to their apprentices and motivate them to want to carve out a long-term career in their chosen trade. In the corporate world, employees are often given career progression plans; perhaps this practice needs to be mirrored in the trades and services industry. Itís one thing to attract apprentices but if theyíre not being retained the skills shortage is never going to be eradicated,î said Mr Powell.

Other interesting findings for the trades and personal services sector include:

ï More tradies believe that the companyís vision and goals are extremely important when looking for a new job (32%) than any other sector

ï There is a higher percentage of employees who have been with their current employer for less than a year than any other sector (50%), possibly indicating a high percentage of apprentices just starting out in the industry
ï 31% of tradespeople would happily move employer for a better salary (the highest percentage of any industry)

ï The top three things they love about their current job are the people they work with (18%), hours of work (15%) and their boss (14%)

ï The top three things they hate about their current job are the quality of overall management (26%), their stress level (22%) and career development opportunities (22%).