Skills & Training
Needs 2013
Victorian Professional, Scientific and
Technical Services Industry
Published by
HESG
Department of Education and
Early Childhood Development
Melbourne
May 2014
©State of Victoria (Department of Education
and Early Childhood Development) 2014
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Childhood Development
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Contents
Introduction
Industry and data scope
5
7
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services trends and issues
Advertising services and market research/statistical services
Architectural, engineering and technical services
Computer services
Legal/accounting services
Management/related consulting services
Scientific research services
Veterinary services
8
8
9
9
9
10
10
10
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services workforce and skills
Employment by age
Employment by gender
Employment by qualification
Surveyors
Electrical Engineers
Electronics Engineers
Mechanical Engineers
14
17
17
18
20
20
20
20
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services vocational
training provision
Enrolments
Apprentices and trainees
Specialised and or in-shortage occupations
Qualification level
Completed qualifications
Government subsidised enrolments
Apprentice or trainee
Specialised or in-shortage
Qualification levels - 2013
Completed qualifications
Courses by funding band
Enrolments by funding band
22
22
22
22
22
22
23
23
23
23
23
26
26
Appendix A
31
Introduction
In the context of Victoria’s dynamic economy, a demand-led
approach is the best way to ensure a responsive vocational
training system that will help as many people as possible build
skills that lead to better jobs. This is most evident in the results
of the market approach embodied in the Victorian
Training Guarantee, which has achieved positive outcomes for
both students and the economy.
barriers, provider type, reason for study and completions. The
report also covers apprentices and trainees, and an analysis of
the alignment between training delivery and specific industry
skills needs. The report produces industry, sub-industry and
region-specific findings and, wherever possible, presents
comparisons to developments at the State level.
The Refocusing Vocational Training in Victoria reforms are
designed to satisfy important criteria for a strong vocational
training market. Through these reforms the Government
is ensuring that the vocational training system continues to
produce positive outcomes for students, businesses and
Victoria.
1. To provide a basis for understanding the Professional, Scientific
and Technical Services industry in relation to employment
levels, skills shortage occupations, current alignment and
responsiveness of the vocational training market to the needs of
the sector and to provide an overview of the challenges and
opportunities in meeting industry vocational skills needs both
now and into the future.
Through Refocusing Vocational Training, there is a role for
government in monitoring, providing information and
responding to the performance of the vocational training
system. A key mechanism by which the government exercises
this role is through the Industry Participation Model. The Industry
Participation Model is based on a new partnership approach
between government, industry and training providers. It
increases industry influence within the training market by
supporting more direct relationships between industry and
training providers and by increasing direct consultation with
government.
The purpose of this report is:
2. To give detailed information around vocational training
enrolments by occupation, location, qualification levels and
other student characteristics, as it relates to the
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry in
order to gauge current trends in vocational training delivery.
3. To summarise the context of the Professional, Scientific and
Technical Services industry in relation to the size and scale of
the labour and training markets as well as the current policy,
economic and social drivers that it is facing.
An aim of the Industry Participation Model is to seek to improve
information sharing about training provision, options, outcomes,
gaps and associated barriers between industry, training providers
and employers to improve alignment between industry needs and
training delivery. A suite of information products and tools are
being developed, of which this report is one, to support this aim
and an overview of these are provided overleaf.
This report describes training and economic activity and
developments related to Victoria’s Professional, Scientific and
Technical Services industry, bringing together a range of
qualitative and quantitative insights from desk research and
industry engagement. It highlights both the challenges the
industry faces in attracting the right skills, and the
opportunities businesses, training providers and government
have to address these challenges. Key metrics used in this
report include enrolments by sub-industry, qualification level,
occupation, courses, age group, gender, learners facing
Introduction
5
Suite of Information Products & Tools
6
Victorian Quarterly Training
Market Reports
On-going series of quarterly reports aimed
at providing a summary of Victorian
training market performance following the
introduction of the student entitlement
system. The report covers three sections
– the first provides an overview of the
performance of the Victorian training
market, the second section examines the
participation of learners facing barriers and
the third examines the alignment of
training to industry skills needs.
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/
training/providers/market/Pages/
reports.aspx
Vocational Training: Victoria’s
Region
Annual publication examining training
delivery in each of Victoria’s regions in
the context of the local population,
economy and workforce, building a
picture of the relationship between the
local training system and regional skills
needs, training market performance and
responsiveness.
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/
training/providers/market/Pages/
regionaltrends.aspx
Vocational Training: Victoria’s
Industry Report
Published annually, this report combines
industry intelligence and economic analysis
with training data to build a more complete
picture of the relationship between industry
skills needs, employment opportunities and
skills training. Each of the 19 industry
training profiles provide economic context
and a summary of training challenges and
highlights from IPM initiatives
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/
training/employers/industry/Pages/
marketinfo.aspx
Industry Sub-sector Summary
Reports and Industry Factsheets
46 sub-sector industry summary reports
produced annually which highlight industry
labour and training market dynamics with
an overview of current and forecast
employment needs and vocational training
patterns across the sectors and at the
regional level.
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/
training/employers/industry/Pages/
marketinfo.aspx
Business Toolkit and Case Studies
Toolkit for employers providing information
on how to get government- subsidised
training under the Victorian Training
Guarantee; getting the best training for
your business, with a helpful checklist;
information of Recognition of Prior
Learning; and a range of interesting
employer and training provider case
studies.
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/
training/employers/workforce/Pages/
marketfacilitation.aspx
IPM Portfolio Industry Reports
Released in line with IPM Portfolio cycles,
these reports describe training and
economic activity and developments
related to key Victoria’s industry sectors.
Highlighted are both the challenges the
industry faces in attracting the right skills,
and the opportunities businesses, training
providers and government have to address
these challenges. A range
of key workforce and training metrics are
also provided. There are two tiers of
reports. One is detailed reports,
representing the focus industries for the
Department in 2013, and summary
reports covering other industry sectors.
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/
training/employers/industry/Pages/
marketinfo.aspx
Industry Blog
A forum for people interested in industry
skills and training issues in Victoria, the
blog features a range of topics relevant to
stakeholders, information on recent
industry events, groups and forums and
new initiatives focused on enhancing
market performance through facilitation
activities.
http://skillsblogvic.wordpress.com/
Industry Skills Update – e-Alerts
Regular email update featuring the latest
news about IPM activities; market
facilitation and related government
initiatives; reports; and training
performance information.
To subscribe contact: Department
of Education & Early Childhood
Development, skills.online@edumail.vic.
gov.au
Web Pages – Industry Training
Market Information
19 webpages with information about the
skills and training market for Victorian
industries. For each industry, there’s a
training snapshot, information about skills
in demand, training market intelligence
reports along with more detailed reporting
for each industry sub- sector. Information
is updated regularly.
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/
training/employers/industry/Pages/
marketinfo.aspx
Rate Your Training
Ratings tool for industry and employers
which is a simple-to-use system where
employers can rate the performance
of a training provider in a particular study
area against selected criteria,
and review and compare the ratings
of other employers.
http://rateyourtraining.com.au/
E-Marketplace (in development)
Website which facilitates connections
between employers and training providers.
Employers can anonymously post their
training requirements and training providers
are able to provide structured response
online. Employers are then able to review
the response with no obligation, create a
shortlist and follow up directly with their
preferred providers.
Victorian Skills Gateway
One-stop-shop of Victorian vocational
education and training to help find the best
option for students. Searches can be
performed on occupations, courses, training
providers, video and written case studies.
This website is also viewable via a purposebuilt smartphone interface.
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/
victorianskillsgateway/Pages/home.aspx
Skills & Training Needs 2013 – Victorian Professional, Scientific and Technical Services Industry
Industry and data scope
This section summarises the scope of the Professional,
Scientific and Technical Services industry1 as well as key data
sources.
Products and services
Figure 1.1: Professional, Scientific and Technical
Services ANZSIC breakdown
ANZSIC ANZSIC industry
code
69
The Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry
includes businesses mainly engaged in providing professional,
scientific and technical services. Businesses engaged in providing
these services apply common processes where labour inputs are
integral to the production or service delivery.
Professional, Scientific and Technical
Services (Except Computer System Design
and Related
Services)
691
Scientific Research Services
692
Architectural, Engineering and Technical
Services
Businesses in this industry specialise and sell their expertise. In
most cases, equipment and materials are not major inputs. The
activities undertaken generally require a high level of expertise
and training and formal (usually tertiary level) qualifications.
6921
Architectural Services
6922
Surveying and Mapping Services
6923
Engineering Design and Engineering
These services include scientific research, architecture,
engineering, computer systems design, law, accountancy,
advertising, market research, management and other
consultancy, veterinary science and professional photography.
6924
Other Specialised Design Services
6925
Scientific Testing and Analysis
Consulting Services
Services
693
Data
The main source of data on vocational training activities is the
training activity database referred to as SV Training System
(SVTS).
6931
Legal Services
6932
Accounting Services
694
Advertising Services
695
Market Research and Statistical Services
696
Management and Related Consulting Services
6961
The report presents findings for the time period from 2008 to
2013, with an in depth analysis of developments and
patterns in the 2013 calendar year. The 2013 data are based on
data extracted from SVTS as at 11 February 2014 and subject to
revision.
This report includes government subsidised training enrolments
and domestic fee for service activities of TAFEs. However, TAFE
fee for service activities below Certificate level and those provided
by private RTOs and Adult Community Education providers are
not included. Data on completions contain all government
subsidised and fee for service enrolments at any course level by
all providers.
Legal and Accounting Services
Corporate Head Office Management
Services
6962
Management Advice and Related
Consulting Services
697
Veterinary Services
699
Other Professional, Scientific and Technical
Services
6991
Professional Photographic Services
6999
Other Professional, Scientific and
Technical Services n.e.c
70
Computer System Design and Related Services
Note that enrolment numbers have been rounded to the
nearest ten.
1
As defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australian and New Zealand
Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC), 2006.
Industry and data scope
7
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
trends and issues
This section focuses on the Professional, Scientific and
Technical Services industry as a whole. It covers the key issues
and challenges including: economic conditions; new regulations;
demographic changes; changing social attitudes; new
technology/processes; and changing consumer tastes.
Key messages, issues and
challenges
• The Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry
accounts for approximately nine per cent of Victoria’s total
economic output.
• The industry has grown strongly over recent years, and while
this growth rate is expected to be more moderate, the sector is
still forecast to grow faster than the State average.
• The industry is very broad, incorporating a variety of
sectors with divergent customer bases and markets.
Despite this variation, the industry faces some common
issues and trends.
• Skills are very important to the industry, and businesses are
likely to continue to struggle to recruit workers with the ideal
skillset.
• In Victoria, Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
businesses are concentrated in Melbourne, which provides
good access to clients such as large businesses and
government.
• Labour productivity in the industry has grown in recent
years, but at a rate below the state average.
Industry trends and outlook
The Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry is a
very diverse sector which is defined by the provision of expert
advice, rather than by clients’ end product.
While the industry is varied, there are some common challenges
and opportunities the various subsectors face. This section will
discuss some of these common issues, before covering each
subsector of the industry.
Many Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
businesses grew strongly in the years preceding the global
financial crisis as current and new clients expanded
outsourcing activities. For two years following the crisis in
8
2007, the sector saw very little growth. Recent years have been
more positive with clients of this industry expanding which has
flowed on to Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
businesses.
Across most subsectors, there appears to be a trend towards
clients requesting more comprehensive services. This has
required businesses to develop broader offerings that
cross assessment, solution design, implementation and
review/evaluation. In some cases this is leading to greater
collaboration across the industry and in other areas there has
been an increase in merger activity to meet this demand.
Technological change continues to play a large role in the
way in which the industry grows. Emerging areas include ecommerce, the increasing use of social media, and
capitalising on large data collections through analysis and
machine learning.2 Many firms are well placed to take up these
new areas, due to the skills of their current workforce.
Improved technology, including faster internet speeds, has
allowed for international outsourcing of some professional
services. For example some computer support services are
now provided from overseas, and some legal services are
being outsourced to countries with legal systems similar to
Australia’s.
Advertising services and market research/statistical services
Advertising businesses develop and implement promotional and
marketing campaigns and materials for clients. This includes
planning and buying advertising space, or direct mail or online
advertising. Larger advertising businesses often also work in
public relations and sales promotion.
Market research or statistical businesses work with advertising
businesses or other clients to gather, record and present market
and public opinion quantitative and qualitative data. These
businesses are sensitive to economic conditions with clients often
reducing promotion spending when consumer sentiment and
demand is low.
A challenge and opportunity for the advertising and market
research sector has been the continued fragmentation of
media, and as a result the forums for reaching consumers and
communities. The advertising and market research
2
IBSA Environment Scan 2013, Business Services Industry
Skills & Training Needs 2013 – Victorian Professional, Scientific and Technical Services Industry
businesses are working to take advantage of this change by
developing products and services to capitalise on advertising
opportunities on social media and smartphone platforms. This
can include app development and viral marketing.
The roll out of the National Broadband Network is also expected
to have an impact on the computer services industry, as
businesses will look to contract ICT professionals to ensure they
are able to take advantage of the NBN.
Architectural, engineering and technical services
ICT security continues to be an important area for the industry,
with a number of large scale, high profile security breaches taking
place over recent years. As the amount of data being collected by
companies increases, they will be even more motivated to ensure
strong security systems are in place. A continued area for growth
is likely to be security related to online payments, as more retail
businesses move online to compete with overseas sellers. 4
Architectural firms plan and design buildings and/or the
development of land. Other businesses in this subsector provide
surveying and mapping services, often related to architectural or
construction services. Engineering design services are often all
provided for construction, but also in the design of machines,
materials and chemicals.
This subsector often deploys cutting edge technology, meaning
businesses are often devoting time to keep up with current
trends, and/or investing in R&D. Many of the clients of these
businesses, such as construction companies, are exposed to
general economic conditions and the housing market, meaning
flow-on effects from public policy changes and consumer
preferences in housing are important.
Computer services
Computer services businesses write, modify, test and/or support
information technology (IT) software for clients, and/ or plan and
design computer systems that integrate computer hardware,
software and communication technologies.
The computer services sector continues to grow in importance as
more and more industries and businesses aim to harness
information and communications technology (ICT) to improve
productivity. Internet penetration is lowest at the small business
end of the market, and this could be a growth area for the
industry as late adopters look to incorporate improved ICT into
their operations.
In recent years, media and socialising have increasingly moved
online, opening up new business opportunities for computer
services firms. This includes in website and app design,
advertising support, and game development.3
3
IBSA Environment Scan 2013, Information and Communications Technology
Industry.
There are likely significant export opportunities for computer
services firms in emerging Asian economies. While it will be hard
to compete based on price, the industry is likely to focus on niche,
high end capabilities (such as cloud computing) for export to
countries in the region.5
Legal/accounting services
Legal services include solicitors, barristers, legal aid officers,
conveyancing companies and patent firms. Accounting
businesses include those that carry out accounting, tax- related
auditing and bookkeeping, and financial auditing
and reporting.
The legal industry is likely to see growth due to increased
corporate activity, stemming from mergers and acquisitions work,
particularly in the resources sector. Insolvency and corporate
restructuring are also likely to be areas of growth.
Over the coming years, law firms are likely to continue to look
internationally to expand their services, including through
forming partnerships or strategic alliances with foreign firms, in
order to capitalise on increased foreign trade and cross- border
business relationships. 6
Within the accounting industry, increased online tax lodgement
could reduce demand for accounting services from small
businesses.
4
IBSA Environment Scan 2013, Information and Communications Technology
Industry.
5
Australian Workplace Productivity Agency 2013, Information and
communications technology workforce study.
6
IBSA Environment Scan 2013, Business Services Industry.
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services trends and issues
9
The large four firms that dominate the industry have been
expanding their operations in business and policy consulting
over recent years as margins have fallen in accounting services.
As a result, they are looking to hire more economists and
engineers, and accountants with broad industry experience.77
Management/related consulting services
Management and related consulting services advise clients on
areas such as business development, human resources
management, product management, economics and strategy.
The four large accounting firms also dominate management
and related consulting, having increased their market share
from 22 per cent in 2009 to around 30 per cent today. This is
putting pressure on some of the smaller firms in the industry
which are learning to deal with competition from large firms
with the ability to offer a variety of expertise and staff to clients.
Consulting services are expanding into health care, financial
services and the resources sector, as businesses find the need to
employ expert, outside expertise.
Scientific research services
Scientific research organisations undertake research in the
agricultural, biological, physical or social sciences. This can include
aeronautical, biotechnology, food and medical research.
Many scientific research organisations are part of government,
such as the CSIRO, or receive government funding to carry out
research. As such, they will likely be impacted by changes to
governments’ budgetary settings.
Veterinary services
Veterinary services businesses provide medical or surgical
services for domestic animals or livestock. This can include
running an animal hospital or animal quarantine station.
This subsector can be separated into two – the metropolitan
veterinary businesses which provide services to pet owners and
the rural-based businesses which work in the agricultural sector.
The latter is likely to be more seasonal and exposed
to the economic cycle. With growing public interest in animal
welfare in the agricultural industry, veterinary services will be
valuable to ensure treatment of animals meets community
expectations.
Table 2.1: Key trends in Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry and their potential impacts on skills
Grouping
Change drivers
Skills impact
Advertising
services
Political
Government
expenditure
reviews
Economic
Trends in
outsourcing
Client business
growth
Social
Preference for
online media
consumption
Technological
Advances in
technology
Architectural
engineering/
technical
services
Computer
services
Legal/
accounting
services
Management/
related
consulting
services
Market
research/
statistical
services
Scientific
research
services

=
=
=










=
=
=
=

=
=

=

=
=
=




=



Key:  Driver has indirect impact on skills; = Driver has low skills impact, and places marginal pressure on skills development;
 Driver has high skills impact, and places upward pressure on skills development;  Driver places downward
pressure on skills development.
7
10
IBSA Environment Scan 2013, Financial Services Industry.
Skills & Training Needs 2013 – Victorian Professional, Scientific and Technical Services Industry
Economic contribution
Employer profile
Victoria’s Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
industry contributed approximately $25 billion to the state
economy in 2012-13, around nine per cent of total output. The
industry directly employs approximately 247,600 workers,
representing around nine per cent of Victorian employment.
At the end of 2012-13, there were an estimated 68,214
businesses in the Victorian Professional, Scientific and
Technical Services industry. There is a slightly lower proportion
of non-employing businesses in the Professional, Scientific and
Technical Services industry than the State average (56
compared with 61 per cent), and a slightly higher proportion of
businesses employing between one and 19 employees (41 per
cent compared with 35 per cent).
Output growth of 13 per cent is anticipated in the five years to
2017-18, to around $28 billion. This is close to the anticipated
state growth rate of 14 per cent across all Victorian industries.
The Victorian Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
industry has seen an expansion in output in the five years to
2012-13 of 46 per cent.
Figure 2.2: Share of businesses by employment, Victoria,
2012
70%
A highly skilled workforce leads to increased productivity and
economic growth. High quality education and skills training is
essential for Victorians to access the opportunities of a growing
and changing economy, and an increasingly sophisticated and
information-rich society.
60%
61%
56%
50%
41%
40%
35%
30%
20%
Figure 2.1: Professional, Scientific and Technical
Services output ($million), Victoria, 2012-13 and 2017-18
10%
3%
4%
0%
30,000
Non Employing
5,934
25,000
1 to 19
20 to 199
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
0.2% 0.3%
200+
All industries
5,487
20,000
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Count of Australian Businesses,
including entries and exits, 2012
15,000
10,000
19,51
9
22,249
2012-13
2017-18
same in the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
industry as the State average. There is a slight overrepresentation of businesses in the lower turnover categories
(less than $200,000), and a slight under-representation in the
higher turnover categories ($200,000 or more).
5,000
Computer System Design and Related Services Professional,
Scientific and Technical Services
(Except Computer System Design and Related Services)
Source: Monash Centre of Policy Studies (CoPS) Employment Forecasts, June 2013
Five per cent of Victorian Professional, Scientific and Technical
Services businesses turn over $2 million or more – over 3,200
businesses.
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services trends and issues
11
Figure 2.3: Share of businesses by turnover size,
Victoria, 2012
Labour productivity
40%
35%
30%
36%
31%
35%
28%
28%
31%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
5%
6%
0%
Zero to $50k
$50k to $200k
$200k to $2m
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
$2m or more
All industries
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Count of Australian Businesses,
including entries and exits, 2012
In metropolitan Melbourne, Professional, Scientific and Technical
Services businesses firms are concentrated centrally, with
particular points of intensity in central Melbourne, Richmond and
South Melbourne. This reflects the importance to Professional,
Scientific and Technical Services businesses of being located in
close proximity to one another and to clients such as large
businesses and government. By locating in large population
centres, firms can also improve the size and average education
level of the employment pools they can draw from.
In regional Victoria, the industry is generally concentrated in the
larger population centres such as Mildura, the Latrobe Valley
and Bendigo.
Labour productivity is defined as real gross value added
per hour worked. The figure below shows the average
annual compound rate of growth in labour productivity for the
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry over the
period 2003 to 2013. Labour productivity in the Professional,
Scientific and Technical Services industry was negative
between June 2005 and June 2008. Nationally, the average
compound annual growth rate of labour productivity for
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services was 0.4
per cent over the period 2003 to 2013, while the all industries
average was 1.3 per cent.
Up-skilling the workforce continues to be an important focus for
increasing productivity, and producing more with less. A welltrained, job-ready workforce is the life-blood of Victoria’s
industry and business and the largest determinant of
productivity in the State’s economy.
Figure 2.5: Labour productivity measure by gross value
added (GVA) per hour worked, average annual growth, 2003
to 2013
Professional, Scientific
and Technical Services
0.4%
1.3%
All industries
0.0%
0.2%
0.4%
0.6%
0.8%
1.0%
1.2%
1.4%
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Australian System of National Accounts,
5204.0
12
Skills & Training Needs 2013 – Victorian Professional, Scientific and Technical Services Industry
Figure 2.4: Location of Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry establishments in metropolitan and regional
Victoria, 2010-11
Melbourne
Richmond
South Melbourne
1 to 50
50 to 100
100 to 200
200 to 500
500 or more
1 to 50
Mildura
50 to 100
100 to 200
200 to 500
500 or more
Wodonga
Shepparton
Bendigo
Ballarat
Geelong
Traralgon
Source: Department of State Development, Business and Innovation (DSDBI), Professional, Scientific and Technical Services Industry. Business location in Victoria: A decade
of change, October 2012 (based on data from WorkSafe Victoria).
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services trends and issues
13
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
workforce and skills
This section focuses on the Professional, Scientific and Technical
Services industry’s workforce. It covers employment levels and
trends, as well as workforce characteristics such as age and skill
level.
Employment
Key messages, issues and
challenges
Approximately 247,600 people are employed in Victoria’s
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry.
Employment in the industry grew by 16 per cent over the five
years to 2012-13. Over the next five years to 2017-18,
employment is expected to increase by around six per cent (or
15,200 jobs).
• The Victorian Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
industry employs approximately 247,600 people, around nine per
cent of the Victorian workforce. Employment growth is expected
to be slightly lower than the average over the five years to 201718.
In comparison, employment in all Victorian industries grew by 10
per cent in the five years to 2012-13. Statewide employment is
expected to grow at around eight per cent in the next five years to
2017-18, slightly more strongly than the expected growth in
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services employment.
• Average annual demand for new jobs due to growth and
replacement over the period is expected to be approximately
10,650 jobs
• The workforce is strongly dominated by high-skill workers
with higher education qualifications, and strongly dominated
by males. The lack of female workers may limit the supply of
skills in some sectors such as ICT.
Figure 3.1: Professional, Scientific and Technical
Services employment in Victoria
300,000
250,000
50,300
49,900
200,000
150,000
• Current skills shortages in the industry include engineers
and occupations associated with construction such as
building associates. ICT and managerial skills are also in
high demand.
• Increased sourcing of some professional services from
overseas poses challenges for some businesses in the
industry and emphasises the importance of developing the
skills of the current workforce.
100,000
197,700
212,500
2012-13
2017-18
50,000
0
Computer System Design and Related
Services Professional, Scientific and
Technical Services
Source: Monash Centre of Policy Studies Employment Forecasts, June 2013
14
Skills & Training Needs 2013 – Victorian Professional, Scientific and Technical Services Industry
Skills composition
The Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry is strongly dominated by high skill roles. Broadly consistent since 2004-05,
high skill roles make up between 60 and 70 per cent of the workforce. Low skill roles make up between 20 and 30 per cent. Medium
skill roles, those most relevant to the VET sector, make up around 10 per cent of the workforce. This distribution is expected to remain
relatively constant to 2020-21.
Figure 3.2: Victorian Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry skill levels
Forecast 2012-13 to 2020-21
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
2004-05
2006-07
2008-09
201011
2012-13
2014-15
2016-17
High Skill
2018-19
Medium Skill
2020-21
Low Skill
Source: Monash Centre of Policy Studies Employment Forecasts, June 2013
Note: High skill—managers and professionals. Medium skill—technicians and trades workers, community and personal service workers. Low skill—clerical and
administrative workers, sales workers, machinery operators, drivers and labourers.
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services trends and issues
15
Job vacancies
Figure 3.3 shows the number of newly lodged online vacancies in Professional, Scientific and Technical Services occupations between
December 2011 and September 2013. Consistent with the broader trend, most occupations exhibited a downward trend across the
period.
Software and Application Programmers made up the majority of newly lodged online vacancies, with over 1,200 new vacancies in
September 2013.
Across the industry, there were 3,580 newly lodged vacancies in September 2013.
Figure 3.3: Number of newly lodged online vacancies in Professional, Scientific and Technical Services occupations in
Victoria, 2011-2013
2,000
Software & App. Programmers
Arch Bdng & Surveying Tech.
1,500
Secretaries
Civil Engineering Profs
1,000
Mgment/Organisation Analysts
Graphic & Web Designers
500
Bookkeepers
Architects & Lscape Arch.
0
Mar11
Jun11
Sep11
Dec11
Mar-12 Jun12
Sep-12 Dec-12 Mar13
Jun13
Sep-13
Source: Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) Internet Vacancy Index (based on a count of online vacancies newly lodged on SEEK, My
Career, CareerOne and Australian JobSearch), major advertising occupations only. Note: caution advised when using monthly occupation data as it is susceptible to fluctuation
from month to month.
16
Skills & Training Needs 2013 – Victorian Professional, Scientific and Technical Services Industry
Labour market characteristics
Employment by age
The Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry workforce has a smaller proportion of its workforce in the 15-24 year old age
group than the State average. Nine per cent of the workforce is in this age group, compared with the State average of 16 per cent.
Most other age groups are approximately representative, aside from 25-44 year olds, which make up a greater proportion of the
workforce (56 per cent) than the State average (47 per cent).
Figure 3.4: Proportion of employment by age, Victoria, 2012-13
Professional,
Scientific
and Technical
Services
9%
30%
16%
All industries
0%
10%
26%
24%
20%
21%
23%
30%
15-24
40%
25-34
15%
21%
50%
60%
35-44
45-54
70%
17%
80%
90%
100%
55+
Source: Monash Centre of Policy Studies Employment Forecasts, June 2013
Employment by gender
The Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry is strongly biased towards males, which make up 78 per cent of the
workforce, compared with the State average of 54 per cent.
Figure 3.5: Proportion of employment by gender, Victoria, 2012-13
Professional,
Scientific
and Technical
Services
45%
55%
All industries
46%
54%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
Females
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Males
Source: Monash Centre of Policy Studies Employment Forecasts, June 2013
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services workforce and skills
17
Employment by qualification
Relative to the State average, the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry workforce is dominated by workers with higher
education degrees (46 per cent compared with the State average of 25 per cent). The industry workforce has a relatively low proportion of
workers without post-school qualifications: 25 per cent compared with the State average of 40 per cent.
Figure 3.6: Proportion of employment by qualification level, Victoria, 2012-13
Professional,
Scientific
25%
and Technical
Services
All industries
2%
11%
40%
0
10
20
No post school quals
17%
3%
30
40
Certificate I or II
46%
18%
50
14%
60
Certificate III or IV
25%
70
80
Diploma
90
100
Higher education
Source: Monash Centre of Policy Studies Employment Forecasts, June 2013
Occupations in demand
Table 3.1 highlights the occupations at four-digit ANZSCO level (Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of
Occupations) that align to the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry. Note that while some occupations also align
to other industries, the figures shown are specific to the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry.
Forecasts presented in the table estimate the annual demand for employment from growth and replacement, in terms of the
average number of jobs required for each occupation annually up to 2017-18.
Employment growth is the net number of new jobs that the occupation is currently forecasting within the industry. Replacement
demand is the number of existing workers required to replace those that are forecast to leave each occupation through attrition, either
via retirement or other movement out of the occupation.
Current employment projections indicate that the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry may require an average of
10,650 jobs each year to 2017-18 to satisfy employment growth and replacement demand.
The occupation forecast to grow most strongly is Accountants, followed by Solicitors, Software and Application Programmers and
Graphic and Web Designers. Accountants also make up the largest total employment in 2012-13, with 22,070 roles; approximately
1,170 new Accountants are expected to be required annually to 2017-18.
Several occupations – Architectural Building and Surveying Technicians, Architects and Landscape Architects and Office Managers –
are expected to experience negative annual growth to 2017-18. However, due to replacement demand, new roles are required in these
occupations annually.
18
Skills & Training Needs 2013 – Victorian Professional, Scientific and Technical Services Industry
Table 3.1: Estimated annual employment growth and replacement demand for the top 20 occupations in the Professional,
Scientific and Technical Services sector, Victoria
Occupation name
2012-13
employment total
Average annual
employment needs
Overall employment
growth to 2017-18
Accountants
22,070
1,170
3,000
Software and application Programmers
16,230
980
1,700
Solicitors
13,240
1,130
1,960
Graphic and Web Designers
9,310
600
1,440
Management and Organisation Analysts
7,290
480
1,290
Bookkeepers
6,630
310
390
Architecture Building and Surveying Technicians
6,360
290
-250
Civil Engineering Professionals
6,250
580
620
Architects and Landscape Architects
6,110
60
-700
Secretaries
6,030
310
430
ICT Managers
5,580
260
260
Advertising and Marketing Professionals
5,500
320
420
Advertising and Sales Managers
4,080
230
490
Office Managers
3,960
60
-170
ICT Support Technicians
3,860
200
330
Accounting Clerks
3,750
160
430
General Clerks
3,660
160
270
Veterinary Nurses
3,530
730
650
ICT Business and Systems Analysts
3,430
210
370
Industrial, Mechanical and Production Engineers
3,300
260
340
Source: Monash Centre of Policy Studies Employment Forecasts, June 2013.
VET occupations highlighted in green.
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services workforce and skills
19
Electronics Engineers
Specialised and in-shortage
occupations
Electronics Engineers is both a specialised occupation and
one which is experiencing skills shortages in Victoria.
This section focuses on current skills shortages in specific
occupations related to the Professional, Scientific and Technical
Services industry as well as those occupations that are
specialised. 8 The Department’s analysis of skill shortages
considers both quantitative evidence and intelligence
gathered through industry consultation.
Highlighted below are occupations aligned to the Professional,
Scientific and Technical Services industry that are considered to
be experiencing skills shortages in Victoria.
Table 3.2 then highlights key occupations within the industry
(based on employment size in Victoria), along with a summary
of their specialised and in-shortage status. This
table includes occupations traditionally associated with other
industries.
Surveyors are classified as a specialised occupation as well as
an occupation experiencing skills shortages in Victoria. The
occupation has been experiencing high employment growth in
Victoria as well as strong replacement demand. Industry
research has indicated that demand for qualified surveying
professionals is likely to continue nationally as civil and
commercial construction sectors and mining continue to demand
skills.9
Skills
Shortage

Specialised
Occupation

Electrical Engineers
A specialised occupation, Electrical Engineers, is a skills
shortage in Victoria. While employment growth is slowing in
this occupation, although replacement demand, wages,
vacancies and graduate absorption all remain high.
Electrical
Engineer
Skills
Shortage
Specialised
Occupation
Skills
Shortage
A specialised occupation, Mechanical Engineers have been
identified as experiencing skill shortages in Victoria, with
large and growing employment levels combined with large
replacement demand and above average graduate
absorption. Shortages have also been identified on a national
basis.10
As with other skills shortages in this sector, shortages are
exacerbated by competition from other industries, such as
Mining and Manufacturing.
Skills
Shortage
DEECD uses the Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency (formerly Skills
Australia) list of specialised occupations. These occupations have a long
lead-time for training, high economic value and a significant match between
training and employment.
9
Construction & Property Services Industry Skills Council, Environmental Scan 2013-14
20
Specialised
Occupation
The Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry is
also affected by skills shortages in occupations traditionally
aligned to other industries, such as Manufacturing, Construction
or Mining (for example, in occupations such as Construction
Project Manager or Building Associate).
Table 3.2: Occupations ‘in-shortage’ or ‘specialised’
Occupation name
In-shortage
Specialised
No
Yes
No
Yes
Solicitors
No
Yes
Graphic and Web Designers
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
Accountants
Software and Application
Programmers
Management and Organisation
Analysts
Bookkeepers
Architecture Building and
Surveying Technicians
Civil Engineering Professionals
Architects and Landscape
8
Specialised
Occupation
Mechanical Engineers
Mechanical
Engineer
Surveyors
Surveyor
Electronics
Engineer
Architects
10 Manufacturing Skills Australia, 2013 Environmental Scan: A new era for
manufacturing
Skills & Training Needs 2013 – Victorian Professional, Scientific and Technical Services Industry
Across the industry, the knowledge, skills and competencies
required to engage with ICT are a vital part of any firm’s
workforce. Generic ICT skills and ‘digital literacy’ have emerged
as prerequisites or highly desired skills for jobs across the
industry, and are also central to the process of learning,
institutions increasingly utilise technology in the delivery of
educational programs.
Industrial, Mechanical and
Production Engineers (includes
Yes
Yes
Construction Managers
Yes
Yes
Surveyors and Spatial Scientists
Yes
Yes
Electrical Engineers
Yes
Yes
Electronics Engineers
Yes
Yes
Mechanical Engineers)
Workforce skills needs
As outlined in the Industry trends and outlook section above,
changing client preferences and trends in outsourcing are having
a significant impact on the Professional, Scientific and Technical
Services industry. Technological change is another trend which is
influencing workforce skills needs.
The industry can sometimes struggle to find suitably skilled
managers to lead teams and large projects. This can cause
services to be delivered inefficiently and can lead to staff
disillusionment with workplace leadership and processes.
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services firms are
addressing this issue through a focus on articulating pathways
for workers and supporting employees to gain a better work-life
balance to prevent burnout before workers reach management
roles.11
The industry, by its nature, has a focus on higher level skills
such as critical thinking, technical writing, maths and science
aptitude, and ICT abilities. This focus is likely to intensify in the
future as improved ICT applications, faster
broadband and relatively cheap international travel allow for the
outsourcing of more professional services to lower cost
countries.
The impact of these trends will be felt at all parts of the
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry workforce.
There will be pressure at the lower skill end of the workforce to upskill to be able to adapt to the offshoring of some roles. At the
managerial level, workers may have to gain skills in international
contract management and cross-cultural communication to work
with staff living and working in other countries. At all levels of the
workforce, skills in face-to-face customer service, a good
understanding of local Australian conditions and flexible,
responsible solution development skills will be highly sought after
and hard to find though overseas outsourcing.
Modern businesses and government increasingly generate large
amounts of data on their operations, customers, and/or services.
The Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry will
need workers with the skills to interrogate, interpret and explain
these data. This will include quantitative skills such as in statistics
and programming and also the skills to relay findings to clients in
a comprehensible manner.
Some parts of the industry, such as computer services, suffer
from a lack of female and mature-age workers, thus limiting the
supply of skills to some businesses.12 To continue to attract
these groups, and workers more generally, many businesses in
the industry are likely to continue to move towards flexible
organisational practices, such as telecommuting, job redesign,
job rotation and employee participation in decision making.
While the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
industry is characterised by highly skilled and qualified
workers, there is still room within the workforce to improve
literacy and numeracy skills. For example, low literacy and
numeracy has been found to impact significant proportions of
clerical and administrative staff and ICT workers.13
As organisational structures flatten out and ICT skills become
more important, workers are under more pressure to develop
their literacy and numeracy skills.14
Due to the importance of skills to the industry, there will always
be a need at different times for Professional, Scientific and
Technical Services businesses to invest in the skills of their
workforce. Finding the time and resources for this will continue to
be a challenge, but firms are likely to find it in their best interests
to maintain their focus on developing a skilled workforce.
12 Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency 2013, ICT workforce study:
Meeting Australia’s future ICT skills needs.
13 Australian Industry Group 2012, National Workforce Literacy Project.
14 IBSA Environment Scan 2013, Business Services Industry.
11 IBSA Environment Scan 2013, Business Services Industry.
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services workforce and skills
21
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
vocational training provision
This section focuses on training provided for the Professional,
Scientific and Technical Services industry. It covers training
activity (including a regional analysis), courses, providers and
student characteristics.
Key messages, issues and
challenges
• In 2013, there were 10,530 government-subsidised
enrolments in Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
in Victoria. This was down 13 per cent from 2012, which in
turn was down three per cent from 2011.
• Beginning in 2012, Certificate IV in has been the
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services related
qualification with the highest enrolments.
• Most training is provided by TAFEs, although their market
share has fallen from 99 per cent in 2008 to 93 per cent in
2013.
• Most Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
enrolments are in the middle subsidy bands of B, C and D.
• In 2013, the largest region in terms of Professional,
Scientific and Technical Services training delivery was
Western Metropolitan Melbourne, accounting for around 35
per cent of industry enrolments.
• The proportion of enrolments by students in the different
groups classified as ‘Facing Barriers’ has remained steady
over 2008 to 2013.
Training activity
Table 4.1 below gives a summary of training activity for the
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry over the
period 2008 to 2013.
Enrolments
Government subsidised enrolments in Professional, Scientific and
Technical Services courses have fallen each year since 2008.
While the annual reductions have mainly been small (1-3 per cent),
in 2013 enrolments dropped 13 per cent to 10,530.
At the same time, TAFE fee for service enrolments have also
fallen, from 2,100 in 2008 to 1,520 in 2013.
In 2013, Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
accounted for 2.7 per cent of government subsidised training
delivery, making it the 11th largest industry on these terms.
Apprentices and trainees
Apprentices and trainees make up a small but growing
segment of enrolments in Professional, Scientific and
Technical Services training. In 2012, four per cent of
enrolments were apprentices or trainees rising to five per
cent by 2013.
Specialised and or in-shortage occupations
Enrolments aligned to specialised or in-shortage occupations
account for 31 per cent of training delivery in the Professional,
Scientific and Technical Services industry in Victoria. This
proportion has increased by five per cent points since
2008, when enrolments aligned specialised or in-shortage
occupations accounted for 26 per cent of the total.
Qualification level
In 2013, two thirds of Professional, Scientific and Technical
Services enrolments were at the Diploma or above level, a
significantly higher proportion than the average across all
industry sectors. Certificate III-IV accounted for 33 per cent of
enrolments, while a small fraction were at the Certificate I-II
level.
Completed qualifications
In 2013, there were 4,110 completed qualifications in courses
supporting the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
industry. Completions numbers have increased each year since
2010, rising 11 per cent in 2012.
22
Skills & Training Needs 2013 – Victorian Professional, Scientific and Technical Services Industry
Table 4.1: Key training activity in the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services, 2008 to 2013
Government subsidised enrolments
Industry Subdivision
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
Computer System Design and Related Services
1500
980
530
380
360
210
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
11,700
12,030
12,330
12,060
11,690
10,320
Total
13,200
13,010
12,860
12,450
12,050
10,530
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
Apprentice
160
140
160
160
160
290
Trainee
330
250
270
310
340
270
Total
490
390
430
480
500
560
Industry Subdivision
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
3,470
3,150
3,140
3,140
3,120
3,230
Total
3,470
3,150
3,140
3,140
3,120
3,230
Apprentice or trainee
Apprentice trainee status
Specialised or in-shortage
Qualification levels - 2013
Industry Subdivision
Certificate I-II
Certificate III-IV
Diploma +
Computer System Design and Related Services
-
90
120
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
140
3,370
6,810
Total
140
3,460
6,920
Completed qualifications
Industry Subdivision
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
Computer System Design and Related Services
1,340
760
380
210
180
130
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
2,570
2,630
3,070
3,460
3,880
3,980
Total
3,910
3,400
3,450
3,670
4,060
4,120
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services workforce and skills
23
Courses
The top ten courses in Professional, Scientific and Technical Services, as set out in Table 4.2, account 61 per cent of industry enrolments
in 2013.
The Advanced Diploma of Building Design (Architectural) attracted the highest proportion of enrolments in 2013, 15 per cent of the total.
Table 4.2: Professional, Scientific and Technical Services qualifications ranked by 2013 enrolments, government subsidised,
2008 to 2013
Course name
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
-
650
1,420
1,720
1,770
1,610
Certificate IV in Engineering
330
460
700
790
880
1,290
Diploma of Graphic Design
-
570
810
870
890
780
Advanced Diploma of Legal Practice
-
-
-
490
670
540
830
720
690
660
640
520
-
250
290
330
350
390
480
460
490
490
530
380
Certificate IV in Photo Imaging
-
-
-
-
-
340
Diploma of Interior Design and Decoration
-
-
130
250
320
330
Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing
-
-
-
30
300
300
Advanced Diploma of Building Design
(Architectural)
Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology
Advanced Diploma of Engineering Design
Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing
Note: course totals include equivalent superseded courses.
24
Skills & Training Needs 2013 – Victorian Professional, Scientific and Technical Services Industry
Enrolments by occupation
Mechanical Engineering Technician is the largest occupational grouping, accounting for 20 per cent of enrolments. The
Architectural Draftsperson grouping also saw a large number or enrolments in 2013 (15 per cent).
Legal Executive and Multimedia Specialist have seen large falls in enrolments over the 2008 to 2013 period. In the case of the
Multimedia Specialist grouping, enrolments have fallen from 1,336 in 2008 to 238 in 2013.
The Photographer’s Assistant grouping has seen the largest percentage increase in enrolments, up from 25 in 2008 to 342 in
2013.
Table 4.3: Professional, Scientific and Technical Services occupations ranked by 2013 enrolments, government
subsidised, 2008 to 2013
Occupation
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
Mechanical Engineering Technician
2,490
2,190
2,020
2,010
2,020
2,150
Architectural Draftsperson
1,470
1,620
1,710
1,820
1,780
1,620
Graphic Designer
1,190
1,280
1,410
1,410
1,490
1,240
Interior Decorator
750
690
730
630
640
610
Legal Executive
960
950
850
800
720
570
Civil Engineering Draftsperson
220
270
330
390
410
440
Veterinary Nurse
530
500
550
530
570
420
Conveyancer
250
260
530
580
520
380
Building Inspector
300
300
360
380
360
370
Life Science Technician
460
440
540
440
410
370
Please see Appendix A for occupations/associated qualifications with Funding Bands (available for 2012 and 2013)
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services workforce and skills
25
Training providers
A total of 42 training providers delivered government subsidised Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry training in
2013.
The majority of training is with TAFEs, which accounted for around 93 per cent of industry enrolments in 2013. The proportion of
enrolments at TAFEs has fallen slightly from 99 per cent in 2008 to 93 per cent in 2013.
Table 4.4: Proportion of enrolments by provider type, government subsidised, 2008 to 2013
Provider type
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
TAFE
99%
99%
96%
94%
94%
93%
Private
1%
1%
4%
5%
6%
6%
ACE
0%
0%
0%
1%
0%
0%
Funding patterns
From July 2012 funding bands for government subsidised training were introduced. The allocation of funding within these bands is
designed to better target areas of greatest public benefit and future jobs growth. Where there is not a strong need for Government
support the training subsidies are lower.
Courses by funding band
In 2013, Professional, Scientific and Technical Services courses were spread across four subsidy bands, with Band C accounting for
almost half of courses. Around 20 per cent of courses were classed as Bands B and D respectively, with the remaining 12 per cent in
the highest subsidy category – Band A.
Table 4.5: Courses by subsidy band, 2013
Subsidy Band
2013
% total
Band A
15
12%
Band B
26
20%
Band C
59
46%
Band D
29
22%
Band E
-
0%
Enrolments by funding band
In 2013, the number of enrolments by subsidy band largely reflected the spread of courses by subsidy band set out in Table 4.5. Band
C accounted for the most enrolments, followed by Bands D and B.
See Appendix A for a list of courses with associated subsidy bands for 2012 and 2013.
26
Skills & Training Needs 2013 – Victorian Professional, Scientific and Technical Services Industry
Figure 4.1: Enrolments by subsidy band, government subsidised, 2012 and 2013
2013
14%
2012
9%
17%
46%
17%
24%
48%
Band A
Band B
26%
Band C
Band D
Regional training activity
In 2013, the largest region in terms of Professional, Scientific and Technical Services training delivery was Western Metropolitan
(which includes the CBD), accounting for around 35 per cent of industry enrolments. Enrolments in Western Metropolitan have been
steady over the period 2008 to 2013.
Other significant regions for enrolments in Professional, Scientific and Technical Services related courses include the remaining three
Metropolitan regions, each accounting for 15-18 per cent respectively. Each of these three regions have seen enrolment falls of
between 20 to 30 per cent since 2008.
Table 4.6: Victorian regions ranked by 2013 enrolments, government subsidised, 2008 to 2013
Region
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
Western Metropolitan
3,780
3,950
3,840
3,820
3,820
3,630
Southern Metropolitan
2,670
2,700
2,600
2,370
2,140
1,880
Northern Metropolitan
2,020
2,180
2,080
2,100
1,950
1,590
Eastern Metropolitan
1,910
1,880
2,280
2,220
1,980
1,560
Barwon South West
1,070
780
670
740
740
830
Hume
710
690
670
560
680
470
Loddon Mallee
310
340
270
270
300
290
Grampians
220
240
180
150
220
180
Gippsland
270
230
260
180
170
110
Note: regional enrolment figures sum to slightly more than the overall Victoria-wide figures due to a small number of students undertaking training in campuses in more than one
region
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services vocational training provision
27
Figure 4.2: Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry training providers and enrolments, 2013
Loddon Mallee
<10 providers
290 enrolments
Grampians
<10 providers
180 enrolments
Hume
<10 providers
470 enrolments
Barwon South
West
<10 providers
830 enrolments
See metro inlay Gippsland
<10 providers
110 enrolments
Northern Metropolitan
<10 providers
1590 enrolments
Western Metropolitan
(inc. CBD)
20 providers
3630 enrolments
Eastern Metropolitan
<10 providers
1560 enrolments
Southern Metropolitan
10 providers
1880 enrolments
28
Skills & Training Needs 2013 – Victorian Professional, Scientific and Technical Services Industry
Figure 4.3: Enrolments by highest prior qualification,
government subsidised, 2013
Student characteristics
Since 2008, around 40 per cent of enrolments in Professional,
Scientific and Technical Services related courses were by
students aged 25 years or older. In 2013, around 23 per cent of
enrolments were by unemployed students, a rise from 2008
where around 19 per cent did not have a job.
In 2013, 28 per cent of enrolments were by students from a
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) background – a
similar proportion to that over 2008 to 2012. Students with a
disability make up around five per cent of Professional,
Scientific and Technical Services enrolments, with Indigenous
students comprising for one per cent of enrolments.
Table 4.7: Learners Facing Barriers enrolments,
government subsidised, 2008 to 2013
Learner
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
80
60
40
30
50
50
880
790
720
740
760
660
CALD
3,680
3,650
3,490
3,320
3,090
2,920
Unemployed
2,460
2,850
2,780
2,850
2,760
2,410
Aged 25+
5,710
5,490
5,390
5,070
4,950
4,340
Groups
Indigenous
Disability
At the time of enrolment, students in Professional, Scientific and
Technical Services were typically more qualified than the
average across all industries.
Compared to students from all industries, students enrolling in
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services courses were
more likely to have obtained a qualification at the Year 12 or
Certificate II level or the Certificate III-IV level prior to beginning
their studies in the sector in 2013.
Bachelor Degree
or Higher Degree level
2%
1%
Advanced Diploma, Diploma
or Associate Degree
2%
9%
27%
Certificate III-IV
20%
50%
Year 12 or Certificate II
42%
0%
1%
Certificate I
12%
Year 11 or below
35%
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
All industries
The main reason students were enrolling in vocational training
related to Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
was ‘To get a job’ (36 per cent). Other reasons such as ‘For
personal interest or self-development’ (13 per cent) and ‘I
wanted extra skills for my job’ (11 per cent), as shown in
Figure 4.4.
Figure 4.4: Enrolments by reason for study, government
subsidised, 2013
To get a job
32%
36%
For personal interest
or self-development
I wanted extra skills
for my job
To get into another
course of study
8%
11%
13%
Other
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services students were
less likely to have finished their prior education at Year 11 or
below than the average student.
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services vocational training provision
29
Appendix A
Table 5.1: Enrolments by occupation, courses and subsidy band 2012 and 2013
Occupation
Course name
Funding band
2012
2013
Advertising Specialist
Advanced Diploma of Advertising
Band D
80
60
Certificate IV in Advertising
Band C
100
80
Certificate IV in Business (Advertising)
Band C
<10
-
Diploma of Advertising
Band D
150
60
350
200
250
200
250
200
Total
Agricultural Technician
Diploma of Animal Technology
Band C
Total
Architectural Draftsperson
Advanced Diploma of Building Design (Architectural)
Band C
1,800
1,600
Certificate IV in Residential Drafting
Band B
<10
-
Diploma of Building Design and Technology
Band C
10
<10
1,800
1,600
Total
Building Inspector
Advanced Diploma of Building Surveying
Band C
100
90
Diploma of Building Surveying
Band C
250
300
350
350
Total
Civil Engineering
Draftsperson
Advanced Diploma of Engineering Design
Band C
350
400
Diploma of Engineering Drafting
Band C
70
50
400
450
Total
Conveyancer
Advanced Diploma of Conveyancing
Band D
30
90
Advanced Diploma of Financial Services (Conveyancing)
Band D
<10
-
Diploma of Conveyancing
Band D
150
200
Diploma of Financial Services (Conveyancing)
Band D
350
80
500
400
Total
30
Skills & Training Needs 2013 – Victorian Professional, Scientific and Technical Services Industry
Occupation
Course name
Funding band
2012
2013
Electrical Engineering
Technician
Advanced Diploma of Electrical - Technology
Band C
30
<10
Advanced Diploma of Electrical Engineering
Band C
<10
-
Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology - Electrical
Band C
100
70
Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology Renewable Energy
Band C
-
<10
Diploma of Electrical Engineering
Band C
<10
<10
Diploma of Electrical Project Management
Band C
<10
<10
150
90
150
100
150
100
10
<10
10
<10
Total
Electrical or
Telecommunications
Trades Assistant
Certificate II in Computer Assembly and Repair
Electronic Engineering
Technician
Advanced Diploma of Electronics Engineering
Electronic Instrument
Trades Worker
(Special Class)
Certificate III in Electrotechnology Instrumentation
Band A
<10
-
Certificate III in Instrumentation and Control
Band A
<10
<10
Certificate IV in Electrical - Instrumentation
Band A
30
20
Certificate IV in Instrumentation and Control
Band A
<10
<10
30
30
Band B
Total
Band C
Total
Total
Environmental Consultant
Certificate IV in Home Sustainability Assessment
Band B
20
-
Certificate IV in Sustainable Energy & Resource
Efficiency Technologies
Band A
10
<10
30
<10
Total
Fashion Designer
Advanced Diploma of Textile Design and Development
Band C
<10
<10
Diploma of Applied Fashion Design and Technology
Band C
200
90
Diploma of Textile Design and Development
Band C
20
20
250
100
Total
32
Skills & Training Needs 2013 – Victorian Professional, Scientific and Technical Services Industry
Occupation
Course name
Funding band
2012
2013
Graphic Designer
Advanced Diploma of Graphic Design
Band D
150
150
Certificate III in Design Fundamentals
Band B
80
30
Certificate IV in Design
Band B
350
300
Diploma of Graphic Design
Band D
900
800
Diploma of Printing and Graphic Arts (Multimedia)
Band D
30
<10
1,500
1,200
Total
Graphic Pre-press
Trades Worker
Certificate II in Printing and Graphic Arts (Desktop
Publishing)
Band B
10
<10
Certificate IV in Printing and Graphic Arts (Multimedia)
Band B
60
60
Diploma of Printing and Graphic Arts (Digital
Production)
Band C
<10
<10
80
70
Total
Industrial Designer
Advanced Diploma of Furniture Design and Technology
Band C
<10
<10
Certificate IV in Furniture Design and Technology
Band B
20
<10
Diploma of Furniture Design and Technology
Band C
10
-
30
<10
Total
Interior Decorator
Advanced Diploma of Interior Design
Band C
20
30
Certificate IV in Arts (Interior Decoration)
Band B
<10
<10
Certificate IV in Design of Kitchens, Bathrooms and
Interior Spaces
Band A
10
10
Certificate IV in Interior Decoration
Band B
300
250
Diploma of Arts (Interior Decoration and Design)
Band C
-
<10
Diploma of Interior Design and Decoration
Band C
300
350
650
600
Total
Interpreter
Advanced Diploma of Interpreting
Band D
90
80
Diploma of Auslan
Band C
80
20
Diploma of Interpreting
Band D
60
60
250
150
Total
Appendix A
33
Occupation
Course name
Funding band
2012
2013
Landscape Gardener
Certificate IV in Applied Design (Landscape)
Band B
40
<10
Certificate IV in Landscape Design
Band B
-
30
Diploma of Landscape Design
Band C
<10
30
Diploma of Sustainable Landscape Design
Band C
90
60
150
100
Total
Legal Executive
Advanced Diploma of Business (Legal Practice)
Band D
<10
-
Advanced Diploma of Legal Practice
Band D
650
550
Diploma of Legal Services
Band D
50
30
700
550
Total
Legal Secretary
Certificate III in Business Administration (Legal)
Band C
200
100
Certificate IV in Legal Services
Band C
90
50
300
150
Total
Life Science Technician
Advanced Diploma of Laboratory Operations
Band C
<10
-
Certificate III in Laboratory Skills
Band B
60
20
Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques
Band B
100
150
Diploma of Laboratory Technology
Band C
250
200
400
350
<10
10
<10
10
Total
Management Consultant
Graduate Certificate in Management (Legal)
Band D
Total
34
Skills & Training Needs 2013 – Victorian Professional, Scientific and Technical Services Industry
Occupation
Course name
Funding band
2012
2013
Mechanical Engineering
Technician
Advanced Diploma of Engineering
Band C
50
100
Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology
Band C
650
500
Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology (Principal
Technical Officer)
Band C
150
40
Certificate IV in Engineering
Band A
900
1,300
Diploma of Engineering - Advanced Trade
Band C
80
40
Diploma of Engineering - Technical
Band C
30
50
Diploma of Engineering Technology
Band C
200
90
Diploma of Engineering Technology (insert stream)
Band C
<10
<10
2,000
2,200
Total
Multimedia Specialist
Certificate IV in Interactive Digital Media
Band C
200
100
Diploma of Interactive Digital Media
Band D
200
150
400
250
<10
-
<10
-
150
150
150
150
Total
Occupational Health and
Safety Adviser
Graduate Certificate in Laboratory Health, Safety and
Environment (HSE) Management Systems
Band C
Total
Photographer
Diploma of Photo Imaging
Band D
Total
Photographer’s Assistant
Certificate IV in Photo Imaging
Band B
-
350
Certificate IV in Photoimaging
Band B
300
<10
300
350
Total
Science Technicians n.e.c.
Certificate II in Sampling and Measurement
Band B
20
<10
Diploma of Public Safety (Forensic Investigations)
Band C
<10
-
30
<10
Total
Appendix A
35
Occupation
Course name
Funding band
2012
2013
Signwriter
Certificate II in Signage
Band B
20
20
Certificate III in Off-Site Construction (Sign Writing/
Computer Operations)
Band A
50
30
Certificate III in Signage
Band A
90
100
150
150
Total
Surveying or Spatial
Science Technician
Advanced Diploma of Spatial Information Services
Band D
30
30
Certificate III in Spatial Information Services
Band D
20
-
Certificate III in Surveying and Spatial Information
Services
Band D
40
50
Certificate IV in Surveying
Band B
10
20
Diploma of Spatial Information Services
Band D
<10
-
Diploma of Surveying
Band C
40
80
150
150
<10
-
<10
-
20
40
20
40
Total
Technical Sales
Representatives n.e.c.
Diploma of Printing and Graphic Arts
(Management/Sales)
Band C
Total
Translator
Advanced Diploma of Translating
Band D
Total
Veterinary Nurse
Certificate III in Equine Nursing
Band B
10
20
Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing
Band B
550
400
Diploma of Veterinary Nursing (Dental)
Band C
<10
-
Diploma of Veterinary Nursing (Emergency and Critical
Care)
Band C
<10
<10
Diploma of Veterinary Nursing (General Practice)
Band C
20
10
Diploma of Veterinary Nursing (Surgical)
Band C
<10
<10
550
400
Total
n.e.c. = not elsewhere classified