Recruitment specialists Hays has published the October Quarterly Report into labour demand in education, finding that education professionals with experience in technical and applied studies, mathematics, science and geography are enjoying high demand.

 

The report also found that candidates for leadership positions at head of department level are in strong demand.

 

Hays found that recruitment activity is at a seasonal high in the lead up to the new school year in 2012.

 

Ongoing shortages of skilled childcare workers, from diploma to early childhood teachers, are continuing to place pressure in the industry.

 

“Following the introduction of the modern award and the subsequent reduction in early childhood teacher salaries, many ECT's are opting to work in a primary school environment where they can achieve a higher salary and improve their benefits to include school holidays,” the report found.

 

In addition, the new childcare regulations require centres to have more qualified staff, which has seen any qualified candidate quickly secured and strong competition emerge for the top talent.

 

The report found that attracting candidates who are passively looking for their next role is an important strategy for schools, fueled by the high competition for candidates in shortage areas.

 

“When recruiting Early Childhood Teachers, we encourage employers to offer suitable candidates above the modern award, RDO's and set shift times in order to help secure them,” the report concluded.

 

The report forecasts a ‘very active quarter’ for recruitment in the country’s education sector. Driven by a high volume of permanent jobs being required for the start of the 2012 school year.

 

In the early childhood sector, there will be a continual stream of new jobs created. The childcare industry is definitely job rich, candidate short.

 

“Within the school system a high number of qualified teachers are available in most subject areas, but expectations have also risen in schools, and so the challenge of identifying the right applicant remains. Schools often find that the volume of response does not correlate to quality,” the report says.

 

The full quarterly report can be found here