2021 Employment Trends

2020 was a turbulent year for Australia’s employment landscape. As COVID-19 hit the economy hard, millions of people lost their jobs or had their working hours cut. But it’s not all doom and gloom as we head into 2021.

As the economic recovery starts gaining momentum in the new year (barring any significant new outbreaks), the job market is gradually bouncing back. From areas of growth to changes in worker rights, this article covers the biggest trends set to shape employment in 2021.

Healthcare Growth

According to the Labour Market Information Portal, the healthcare and social assistance industry is expected to make the largest contribution to employment growth in 2021 and beyond. By 2024, it’s predicated this industry will have grown by 252,600 people.

In addition to the COVID-19 pandemic, Australia’s aging population is another key reason for the rapid expansion of healthcare and social assistance. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reports that 3.8 million Australians were aged 65 and over in 2017 (15% of the total population). This number is expected to jump to 8.8 million by 2057 (22% of the population).

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Demand for Teachers and Childcare Workers

Increased government funding, a growing population and international enrolments (prior to COVID-19), have combined to make education and training one of the fastest growing sectors in Australia. Demand for teachers is so high that the Australian Government has cheapened the price of education degrees in a bid to entice people into the teaching workforce.

The childcare sector is also growing rapidly, triggering increased demand for qualified workers. Job Outlook predicts the number of childcare workers to increase from 152,200 in 2019 to 182,300 by 2026 as the number of children needing care continues to rise.

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Second Careers

COVID-19 cost many Australians their livelihoods in 2020, but there was a silver lining of sorts for some people. According to the ING Future Focus Report, 3.3 million Aussies are rethinking their careers in the wake of the pandemic.

It may be devasting at the moment but losing a job can be a great catalyst for finding a more fulfilling career path. If you’ve been unhappy in your career for a while, now could be the perfect time for a change of scenery.

Thinking of starting a new career?

Accelerated Automation

Automation was already impacting the job market prior to COVID-19, but the pandemic has accelerated its rise. The public health crisis created strong incentives to automate processes vulnerable to disruption, leading to the emergence of technologies that otherwise may not have been discovered for years.

Employers were forced to digitise their operations as many people started working from home, resulting in IT problems and cyber security risks. To mitigate these issues, companies have had to find ways to improve their digital workflow. This is just one of many examples of how automation will continue to shape the future of the workforce.

Don’t feel ready for the changes coming in 2021? If you’re looking to strengthen your job security, consider retraining with Foundation Education. Browse our courses to find the perfect qualification for your goals today.

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