We know that jobs grow
th is under pressure. Whilst some sectors are experiencing a downturn, others are steadily increasing. Amongst other factors, the challenging economic climate, and uncertainly around political stability are contributing towards a significant shift in the type of jobs becoming available.
The Bureau of Statistics labour force update provides an insight into the kind of jobs being created under the mantra of “growth and jobs”.
Over the past 3 years, part-time employment grew 306,000 and full-time employment just 150,600.
This long-term shift in employment stands in contrast to the previous 6 year period in which full-time and part-time employment grew in tandem, full-time employment climbing 439.000 and part-time employment 471,000.
Mining employment has fallen by 36,500, manufacturing employment by 13,100, employment in public safety and administration by 31,700 and employment in utilities by 11,600.
Over the same period employment in real estate has climbed 32,400, in finance 5600, in healthcare and social assistance 136,400, in retailing 86,200 in construction 25,500 and in professional scientific and technical services 110,000.
Westpac economist Justin Smirk says the shift towards part-time employment was more likely about sectors that were expanding or contracting than work patterns. The unemployment rate is steady at 5.7 %, similar to what was experienced in 2013.
“This can be seen in employment by gender with female employment rising 141,000 in the year compared to 83,800 for male employment”.
Full time employment has been sliding since December, slipping 60,670 in the first five months of 2016. Australia is becoming a part-time employer, and that signals badly for the quality of work, “says Bill Mitchell, Director of the Centre of Full Employment and Equity at the University of Newcastle.
In trend terms employment grew just 3700 in May while Australia’s working age population grew 9000. Employment is climbing in NSW and Victoria and falling in the rest of the nation.