Workforce Skills Survey 2019

The 2019 Workforce Skills Survey shows a significant increase in the number of vacancies due to skills shortages across the state in the last two years, increasing from 54,000 in 2017 to 82,000 in 2019. The number of businesses experiencing a skills shortage has decreased slightly since 2017. However, more than half of businesses are still unable to recruit people with the skills they need. More than 1 in 5 of those businesses reported that they were facing significant negative impacts as a result, such as losing customers and missing opportunities. The key recommendations from the survey’s findings are: Double the number of school-based apprenticeships delivered in NSW each year. Make industry-based careers advice available for students and parents from year 9 in all schools across NSW. Increase the utilisation of existing TAFE facilities and resources to boost training outcomes.