13 February 2008

Australian immigration could solve skills shortage

Australian immigration could be considered by the country's government as a key tool to ending its shortage of key skills, it has emerged.

Australian immigration could be considered by the country's government as a key tool to ending its shortage of key skills, it has emerged.

The Australian government this week announced that a unique advisory body will be launched to provide advice on how to meet the country's shortage of skilled workers, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.

Seven experts across economics, industry, academia and training providers will reportedly meet as part of Skills Australia and are likely to discuss key issues such as Australian immigration and other options that could help boost the quality of workers in the country.

After introducing the legislation on Wednesday, deputy prime minister Julia Gillard told the newspaper: "It will provide the Australian government with independent, high quality advice to assist with better targeting of support for the workplace development needs of business and workers across the country."

Meanwhile, some 72 per cent of IT professionals in Australia believe they are "hot" or "in demand" for employment, according to a survey by recruitment company Diversiti published this week.