Now could be the ideal time to commence a traineeship in clerical services, with new research indicating employers are on the lookout for qualified office support staff.
The latest Hays Quarterly Report, which highlights current and future employment trends across July to September 2015, revealed sales administrators, personal assistants and customer service administrators are in high demand.
This trend has resulted in a significant rise in the number of permanent and temporary vacancies in office support jobs. According to Hays, organisations are increasingly moving towards growth strategies, allowing them to expand their workforce.
Senior Regional Director of Hays Office Support Alex Jones said sales and development are key, while many restructuring and consolidations plans have been mothballed.
“Therefore, we are seeing more jobs in office support functions to help businesses through peak busy periods, projects and maternity leave cover,” he explained.
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Hays said the lack of qualified candidates in the market means people who have the necessary skills can demand more favourable terms when deciding which company to choose.
“Increasingly, candidates are looking for more from their employers than just a job; they want career planning and support as well as a clear idea on where the organisation is going,” Mr Jones commented.
Due to digital growth, the number of organisations seeking office support staff who are familiar with high-end IT systems is also on the rise. People with SAP and other customer relationship management program skills are particularly valuable.
The Hays research supports similar findings from Hudson Australia’s Employment Trends report for the third quarter. Published last month, the study highlighted IT skills as being in short supply across many companies.
Dean Davidson, Executive General Manager of Hudson Australia, said businesses must do more to expand the skill sets within their organisation in order to remain competitive as labour market activity improves.
“Part of this transition includes investing in new skill sets, to ensure businesses are equipped for future growth,” he explained. “Smart employers should be investing in opportunities for key employees to develop a broad range of skills.”
