Queensland faces a shortfall of around 8,000 engineers, scientists and architects in 2023. This places the delivery of the state’s public infrastructure pipeline at risk. But a new Consult Australia guide can help employers tap into the talent of a large and often overlooked workforce.
Infrastructure Australia estimates that, by September, Queensland will have 21,200 fewer skilled workers than it needs to deliver on its public infrastructure program.
Systemic skills shortages have been a challenge in civil and structural engineering for decades. But the pandemic and record high government investment has exacerbated the problem.
“It’s time to think differently and innovatively about workforce attraction and retention,” says Jonathan Cartledge, Consult Australia’s Chief Executive Officer.
“We need to pull every lever available to get the skills we need on the ground now – and one of those levers is skilled migrants.”
Consult Australia's 2022 report, Thinking Smarter About Skills, found Australia produces engineering graduates at among the lowest levels in the OECD. At the same time, more than a quarter (28%) of qualified civil engineers from migrant backgrounds are unable to find work in their occupation.
Gain and retain top talent
Overseas-born engineers account for more than 58% of Australia’s engineering workforce. But these engineers are also more likely to be unemployed or underemployed than Australian-born engineers.
“We know 49 in every 100 skilled migrants aren’t using the skills or experience they gained before arriving in Australia,” Jonathan notes.
“Migrants often have a breadth of international experience and cultural perspectives that can add value to a workplace. But these skills aren’t always visible to time-poor businesses as they urgently seek new staff.”
To help employers find the skills they need, Consult Australia has partnered with Engineers Australia and the Queensland Government to develop a new guide for employers: ‘Attracting and Retaining Engineers from Migrant Backgrounds’.
“Engineers Australia research shows that almost 60% of our qualified engineers are not working because they are migrants, and they can’t crack the Australian jobs market at a time when employers are reporting skills shortages,” says Stacey Rawlings, Engineers Australia’s General Manager for Queensland.
“Productive employment of our migrant engineers is vital to our national engineering capability and this guide will help employers access this ready-made pool of smart, skilled engineering professionals.”
The guide was launched by Queensland Minister Leanne Linard MP and Warwick Agnew, Director-General of the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training on Thursday 23 February at Queensland’s Parliament House.
“We want to break down barriers by providing practical tips, advice and information for employers so they can better access the incredible pool of skills and knowledge available right here in Queensland,” Minister Linard says.
The guide is packed with practical information and ideas for those looking to source talented engineers from migrant backgrounds. The guide includes clear information to help employers understand overseas qualifications, as well as details on relevant Queensland Government programs and funding opportunities.
Bridging the skills gaps
The guide also offers insights into recruitment strategies, and some instructive case studies.
One of those case studies is of qualified engineer John, who arrived in Australia from China in 2018. While John’s ‘work English’ was initially a barrier, his willingness to move to a regional area helped him secure employment as a civil engineer with a shire council.
The council, looking for both skills and candidates with an interest in being ‘fully immersed in the outback experience’, was committed to helping John with communication. Language translation apps and a good sense of humour helped John and his new colleagues in the early days. John’s attitude, eagerness to learn and connect, and the local council’s support of the whole person, has made John’s employment a positive experience for all.
Kristine Banks, Consult Australia’s Queensland Manager, says the collaborative approach of government and industry bodies during the development of the guide is already making a positive impact. “The guide bridges the knowledge gap and helps employers in consulting businesses find solutions that we hope will open doors to more migrant talent,” Kristine concludes.
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