Anglicare Australia report at least six jobseekers competing for every low-skilled job vacancy

NEW research shows there is fierce competition for jobseekers applying for low-skilled vacancies

THERE are at least six jobseekers competing for every low-skilled job vacancy across the Northern Territory, new research shows.

• Where you can find a job in the NT right now

THERE are at least six jobseekers competing for every low-skilled job vacancy across the Northern Territory, new research shows.

The latest Jobs Availability Snapshot from Anglicare Australia shows that competition for all jobs in the NT is particularly fierce at the moment.

Executive director Kasy Chambers said their research found more people with barriers to work — such as age, education and disabilities — were competing for fewer jobs. Figures in the report show there were about 1570 jobs advertised across Darwin and Alice Springs in August, but more than 33,000 Territorians used the federal government’s JobSeeker program.

In 2019, there were four low-skilled workers in the NT vying for every low-skilled job, compared with six this year.

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Ms Chambers said many hunting for work in areas including hospitality, retail, cleaning, sales and labouring were older people.

“If we’re serious about helping people, we need to create jobs that match their skills instead of forcing them to compete for jobs that just aren’t there,” she said.

COTA NT chief executive Sue Shearer said she was deeply disappointed that the recent federal budget had failed to recognise the plight of older workers.

“Many were already facing a bleak employment future, but COVID-19 has increased their vulnerability in the employment market,” she said.

“In the same way that special and extraordinary measures have been unveiled for people under 35, the same focus and support is urgently needed to ensure older workers can get back to work.”

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New unemployment figures are due to be released today. The NT’s jobless rate fell from 7.4 per cent to 4.2 per cent in August. The staggering resurgence saw more than 4000 people — a large portion of them young people — returning to work that month.

It comes after one of the NT’s leading transition to work providers, YouthWorX, revealed they had seen a surge in young people accessing its services over recent months.