Skills in short supply

The report says businesses are struggling to recruit staff with adequate maths, science, technology and engineering skills, and that this shortage is stifling productivity and competitiveness.

In a survey of 500 businesses cited by the report, about 40% had difficulty hiring skilled technicians and trade workers, and about a quarter had trouble recruiting professionals.

The article identifies shortages in maths, science, technology and engineering skills—commonly described as STEM skills.

The survey shows the greatest difficulty was filling skilled technician and trade worker roles (around 40% of businesses), while roughly a quarter of businesses had trouble recruiting professional staff.

The report links the STEM skills shortage to reduced productivity and competitiveness for businesses — factors that can influence company performance and investor returns.

The findings come from a report by the Australian Industry Group based on a survey of 500 businesses.

Investors can watch company reports and announcements for mentions of difficulty recruiting STEM-skilled staff or statements about impacts on productivity and competitiveness, as these issues are highlighted in the report.

No — the article summarizes the Australian Industry Group report’s findings on the recruitment problem but does not describe specific solutions or policy recommendations.