More than two-thirds of large Australian companies are willing to
hire foreign workers as the effect of the skills shortage is felt across
a broad range of industries, a survey shows.
An Australian Institute of Management (AIM) National
Salary Survey shows managers are having the most difficulty recruiting
for technical and trade, sales and marketing and construction and
engineering jobs.
AIM head of research Matt Drinan said the recent decision
to grant mining billionaire Gina Rinehart's Roy Hill project an
enterprise migration services agreement (EMA) had placed the spotlight on skills
shortages in WA, particularly on the mining sector.
"However, mining companies comprise a comparatively small
proportion of Australia's employers and our data indicates that the
effects of the skills shortage is being felt across a broad range of
industry sectors and job functions, nationally," Mr Drinan said.
"In addition to organisations casting their net beyond
our shores to help meet skills shortfalls, or as an alternative to this
practice, companies might be wise to look at developing existing staff
to help fill skill gaps within their business."
While the strength of the mining sector was likely to be
having some impact, international recruitment difficulties could be partly explained
by the higher proportion of organisations which reported an increase in
permanent staff numbers over the past 12 months.
More than 70.2 per cent of large companies across the
nation indicated that they would consider hiring staff from overseas in
order to fill skills shortfalls while more than half the companies
reported that they already employ overseas workers.
More than half the 511 companies surveyed across the nation said they already employ overseas workers.
Last month the federal government announced more than
1,700 foreign workers could be brought in under an EMA for Gina
Rinehart's Roy Hill iron ore project in the Pilbara, sparking
controversy from unions and the public.
The government said it appreciates the mining industry's concerns about the rising costs of doing business in Australia.
In terms of wages, the AIM survey revealed 93.5 per cent
of large companies paid salary increases in the 2011/2012 year for at
least some employees.
Western Australia recorded the largest salary increases while Victoria and Tasmania recorded the smallest.
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