MARKET PULSE: Employment opportunities are dropping off across the built environment industries. Design and architecture jobs have seen the biggest drop off in job advertisements of any other category: job ads for the sector are down by 22.3 per cent from last year, according to the 2019 SEEK Employment Report.
There’s also less jobs going in manufacturing, logistics and transport (-15.6 per cent), construction (-14.7 per cent), real estate and property (-13.7 per cent), engineering (-11.3 per cent) and science and technology (- 6.0).
Mining, resource and energy has seen a slight uptick in job ads growth of 6.2 per cent, as have government and defence jobs at 6.8 per cent.
With a drought gripping parts of the country, there’s been a 13.4 per cent increase in jobs for farming, animals and conservation. The biggest increase was in community services and development at 18.5 per cent.
Overall, SEEK jobs ads are down by 7.4 per cent year on year. On the plus side, the average advertised salary – $88,652 – is up by 2.5 per cent year on year. The engineering, construction, and mining, resources and energy sectors are driving up this average, particularly in WA and NSW.
Mixed signals identified by Avdiev
A “mix mood” was identified in the latest Avdiev Remuneration Report 2019 October Update, which looks at remuneration across property, investment, development and construction employers and design and building consulting companies.
A downturn in business conditions was reported for design and building consultants, who are a “leading indicator for the markets.” The cladding crisis is understood to be affecting consultants first, with this impact expected to show up in other sectors later.
The report found subdued pay rises across the board, but juniors have done better than their more experienced peers with a 3.0 per cent increase compared to a 2.5 per cent increase for senior and mid-level staff.
The strongest increases were in the building and construction and IT sectors, with “young, smart workers winning in the war for talent.”
The report also noted a highly competitive market due to severe cost cutting by rivals, scope creep and late payments by clients.
Staff quality remains a concern across all sectors, as does business sources, economic/market conditions, funding and regulation.
“The Australian property industry is remaining stable and positive, but in an environment of mixed signals Avdiev Report subscribers are watching and waiting” The Avdiev Group managing director Rita Avdiev said.
“With the May 2019 federal elections out of the way there is political stability but uncertainty about the global economy and its impact on Australia’s future. The mood is mixed.”