Current labour market rating
Previous labour market rating (August 2013)
Shortage
Shortage
Comments
The labour market for sheetmetal trades workers remains in shortage although recruitment difficulties are not as severe as reported in 2013.
Survey results
 Few vacancies were identified for this research and survey results should be used cautiously. This survey was supplemented by cold canvassing employers in this industry who had not advertised.
 The Department of Employment survey of employers who had recently advertised for Sheetmetal
Trades Workers shows 43 per cent of vacancies were filled within the survey period. This is a significant increase compared to the previous employer survey in 2013 where no vacancies were filled.
 Vacancies were both for replacement of workers and new positions as a result of increased business needs.
 There were 2.3 applicants per vacancy and only 0.7 suitable applicants per vacancy.
 20 per cent of employers attracted no suitable applicants.
 Some positions required applicants to undertake additional requirements such as substance testing for site work on mines.
Unsuitable applicants
 Applicants were considered unsuitable if they did not have the relevant trade qualifications, presented poorly, did not turn up for interview, were unable to start immediately or had generic resumes which appeared more focused towards the mining industry.
 Location was also cited as a reason for some applicant’s unsuitability. In particular some employers liked to trial applicants to see their skills and if they fit the organization and if an applicant was interstate then would be unsuitable as this process could not be met.
 Some employers considered 457 applicants unsuitable as the employer was not in a position to offer sponsorship at the time of recruiting.
 Some employers noted that some applicants had other trade qualifications which were not transferrable to this trade.
Labour Economics Office Northern Territory
Department of Employment

Demand and supply trends
 Entry into this trade is through completion and accreditation of a Certificate III in Engineering –
Fabrication Trade available through Charles Darwin University and a number of registered training organisations throughout the NT.
1
 The National Centre for Vocational Education Research data for the NT show that the number of apprenticeships and traineeship commencements in Fabrication Engineering Trades Workers has been variable over the past decade, but in 2012-13 and 2013-14 there were around 55 commencements, slightly higher than the preceding few years. There were only 20 completions in
2013-14, almost half the annual level of the previous two years.
2
 The Internet Vacancy Index data for the Northern Territory shows a 38.5% per cent decrease in the numbers of vacancies for Sheetmetal Trades Workers advertised over the five years to December
2009.
3
 There has been less than five principle applicants granted 457 visas to work in the Northern
Territory as Sheetmetal Trade Workers each year since 2008-09, indicating it is a minor source of supply to this occupation. 4
Other indicators and issues
 Some employers consider specialised trades such as the Sheetmetal trade, lacked profile in the
Northern Territory and combined with the hot and hard conditions of this type of work, it was difficult to retain staff and also meant that it would appear unattractive to younger people as a trade and as an employment pathway.
 Some employers in non-metropolitan regions commented that some organisations in their region outsourced this work interstate as it was difficult to source within the Northern Territory. Other employers stated they flew in their workforce from interstate as needed.
 Some employers stated it was difficult to compete with mining and large projects and felt there was a flow on pressure for increased wages as a result.
 Employers considered using 457 visa holders however considered the costs of sponsorship and any support for relocation or accommodation was a barrier to employment.
 Some employers raised concerns that the training for students/apprentices did not meet their business needs.
 Employers noted their preference for experience, breadth of knowledge and a demonstrated ability to do the work as very important.
1 Myskills.gov.au website
2 NCVER , Collection 81 – Regions, Table 1 State/Territory by Occupation (ANZSCO – NTIS) group, Training Contract status and AQF qualification level – Financial year data.
3 Department of Employment, Internet Vacancy Index Data, November 2014, 12 month moving average.
4 Department of Immigration and Border Protection. Noting this data is for NT nominated only.
Labour Economics Office Northern Territory
Department of Employment