• One in five businesses reported having difficulties in filling their vacancies
• High demand for skills often found offshore, means that job seekers on the ground with the desired certifications or qualifications are hot commodities
• Koenig Solutions is encouraging aspiring IT professionals to fast-track their qualifications to ensure they’re a frontrunner when job seeking

Whilst COVID-19 has packed a heavy punch to businesses of all sizes, there has never been a better time to be a job seeker. High demand for skills often fulfilled by working holiday visa holders and migrants, means that job seekers with the desired certifications have become hot commodities2.

The percentage of businesses that have reported at least one vacancy has almost doubled that of the previous year, increasing from 11% in February 2020 (pre-pandemic) to 20% in August 2021.

Desperate to source the people they need; extreme measures are being taken by businesses including offering incentives to those in the UK in the form of vouchers, flights to Australia, and two weeks of free accommodation1.

While administrative and support services (29%) and public administration and safety (29%) are the most sought-after skills3, technical services vacancies increased from 9% in February 2020 to 15% in August of this year.

Whilst our country has 800,000 technology workers, it’s predicted that the nation is going to need an extra 300,000 skilled ICT workers by 20254. With ongoing border restrictions preventing skilled migrants and international students from filling those roles, experts say that the country needs more re-skilling of Australians to take on the jobs created in ICT5.

Chris Tzalabiras, IT training specialist from Koenig Solutions, tells us, “Before the COVID related worker shortage, getting noticed from the application pile on prospectus employers’ desks was a massive hurdle for jobseekers. The Great Resignation alongside the loss of visa workers has resulted in smaller contender pools and higher chances for recent graduates to land a dream job.”

“Yet, whilst there are more vacancies, having the required skills and certifications remains an undeniable necessity. In this climate, having the latest certifications in the IT sector could be an aspiring professional’s golden ticket to launch their new career.”

“IT training and certifications are currently worth their weight in gold, particularly in software and security. Having the appropriate knowledge and certification will be a standout,” says Tzalabiras.

Koenig Solutions encourages aspiring IT professionals to fast-track their career with the right certifications. The leading IT training organisation has a course advice tool that can help you find the right course based on your technical background, skills and career objective.