A National Skills Commission report has found that digital and data skills are the skills that will drive Australia’s economy forward. 

The report, which examined current and emerging skills within the country, stated that care, computing, cognitive abilities and communication were key abilities that employers were seeking. 

With 150 occupations having a shortage of skilled workers nationally, 57 occupations are expected to have a strongly projected future demand for skilled workers. 

Australia’s workforce was also found to be shifting towards services, technology advances and more automation. Aside from this, there also arose a need for post-school education and training as they are huge factors in shaping industries. 

National Skills commissioner Adam Boyton says data and digital skills are what employers are seeking the most. 

“For instance, a decade ago, social media skills would not have been needed by a childcare centre or hotel manager,” he said. 

“But today these roles increasingly require these skills.” 

Mr Boyton stated that Australia’s workforce should now be shaped to meet employers’ needs, predicting that nine out of 10 jobs will require post-school qualifications in the next five years. 

Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business Stuart Robert said the Australian Government’s skills reform programs were addressing the needs outlined in the report. 

“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 – to your needs,” he said in an address to the Business Council of Australia on Tuesday. 

“We are doing this through continuing work with the states and territories towards funding reform that will better link governments’ investment in training that meets our current and emerging workforce needs.” 

He said record funding for skills and training had led to an “apprenticeship boom”, with more than 220,000 trade apprentices in training. 

With AAP

Eliza Sayon

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Eliza is a content producer and editor at Public Spectrum. She is an experienced writer on topics related to the government and to the public, as well as stories that uplift and improve the community.

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