Increased demand for data and digital skills in Australia

Australia has seen an increased demand for data and digital skills, highlighted National Skills commissioner Adam Boyton. 

“A decade ago, social media skills would not have been needed by a childcare centre or hotel manager, but today these roles increasingly require these skills,” he said, reports The New Daily. 

Other skills in demand include caring skills to support demographic change, communication skills to collaborate across workplaces and cognitive abilities in sectors that are unable to be replaced by computers, highlighted a National Skills Commission report examining current and emerging skills within the country.

“The challenge is to shape Australia’s workforce to meet employers’ needs now, secure opportunities for Australian businesses to grow local jobs in the future and compete as a key player in the global economy,” said Boyton. 

In the next five years, more than nine out of 10 jobs will also require post-school qualifications, according to the report.  To that end, the government has introduced skill reform programmes to ensure future skilled workers can plug the demand in the workforce. 

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“We need to maintain a laser-like focus on ensuring our skills system can respond more quickly and more specifically to the needs of our industry,” said Employment Minister Stuart Robert in an address to the Business Council of Australia.