The Western Australian economy has continued to perform strongly with the May unemployment rate at 3.1%, which is the lowest rate across all jurisdictions in Australia.

Following a year of intensive research, the Committee for Perth’s latest research report ‘Race to the Top’ identifies the key issues contributing to the problem and provides clear recommendations for building a local workforce to enable economic and social prosperity.

A national strategy to address Australia’s gender pay gap is needed if we want to achieve change within this generation according to the Committee for Perth.

Until recently, the debate on immigration has been about reducing numbers, driven by high unemployment and seeking to protect jobs for locals. Two years since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, immigration has returned to the spotlight amid nationwide skills shortages and intense competition for the best and brightest.

Much has been reported about the tight labour market, which is unlikely to ease anytime soon. Data from the National Skills Commission showed that in February 2022, 62% of Australian employers experienced recruitment difficulty and 33% expected to increase staff.

Graduates from the education and training system are the future workforce – in essence, the worker pipeline. In the Committee for Perth’s latest research into the current skills shortage, we have focused on these new market entrants and found three critical aspects.

The latest FACTBase Bulletin found that most occupations required these abilities along with literacy and numeracy skills, and certain skills which are specific to a job, such as in the medical or teaching profession, can be transferable within these occupations.

This submission has been prepared with assistance from the Committee’s Reshaping Working Group and has been informed through a presentation to the Working Group from representatives from the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage.

The Committee for Perth’s latest research demonstrates that in the last 50 years Australia has shifted from being a producer mainly of primary products to one of services.