The WA job market is flush with opportunities offering more than $100,000 annual salaries with little to no formal qualifications required – and they’re not all remote.
While mining related jobs are driving the higher paid end of the entry-level jobs search, data shows the demand for managerial roles, trades and services, community services and defence careers are rising, and so are the wages.
From restocking apples to store manager, Todd Pearson is a shining example of how hard work and determination can lead one to success.Credit: Woolworths
Rockingham resident and local Woolworths store manager Todd Pearson is one such worker who knows all too well that a university career pathway doesn’t always offer the best incentives to a well-paid, work/life balanced lifestyle.
The now 30-year-old, a father of three, says he has no regrets about leaving part-way through a Bachelor of Education degree for a Woolworths career that offered on-the-job training, work flexibility – and, of course, a healthy $110,000 pay packet.
“I was at a bit of an impasse … I really wanted to be a teacher but wasn’t really enjoying the university side of it, but I absolutely loved working in retail,” he said.
“It seems to be the old fable story, I took a gap year as second-in-command in the deli and then went from department to department, I ended up opening a couple of new stores as the grocery manager, and then I was offered a regional position in Esperance as the assistant store manager.”
From restocking the apples as a 14-year-old to managing his own store by the time he was 24, Pearson had some words of advice for other aspiring jobseekers searching for mentally, and financially, rewarding roles.
“Be open to change and open to learn – that open attitude and open mindset is the best thing,” he said.
“When I started, I didn’t want to work in the deli because I didn’t like handling the chickens and the hams, but I knew it was an opportunity to show what I could do.
“It may not be the job you want to do, but use it as a chance to show what you can do.”
Seek sales and service director Stephen Tuffley said WA workers were in a better position to snatch up higher-paying jobs than their eastern states counterparts.
“From May 2019 to now, Australia has the same number of jobs advertised but WA has 34.5 per cent more, so there is certainly demand in WA,” he said.
“The professional roles are often attached to higher wages, but it’s not always the case, there are plenty of jobs in mining with on-site training where you can earn $100k plus starting wage, or in [the case above] you can start packing shelves and if you have good communication, can solve problems, work well as a team, you will inevitably progress.”
As well as the variety of roles that don’t require prior certifications, there are other roles, such as trainers and assessors, that can be job-ready after completing a six-month Certificate IV in Training and Assessment course.
The same goes for traffic controllers who may need a Construction Industry Induction Card (white/blue card) or Basic Worksite Traffic Management ticket.
Others such as Public Transport Authority railcar drivers and St John communications officers may be required to pass aptitude and integrity testing and psychological reviews, but upon recruitment will receive all training on-the-job with opportunities for career and pay advance over time.
Top high-paid jobs in WA that require no degree or formal trade
Driller’s offsider traineeship (With heavy rigid driver’s license)
Aged and disability support coordinator (Certificate III, IV or similar qualification in aged care or disability support.)
Store manager (with promotional opportunities over time)
HR and payroll managers
FIFO drivers, technicians, machine operators and cleaners
Content creator
Traffic controller (with a white card)
Trainer and assessor (Certificate IV in Training and Assessment)
Railcar driver (Aptitude testing and integrity checks)
Defence careers
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