Skills in short supply

The report highlights shortages in maths, science, technology and engineering skills among job candidates — core STEM capabilities that businesses say they need.

The survey covered 500 businesses and found notable recruitment problems: about 40% had difficulty hiring skilled technicians and trade workers, and roughly a quarter struggled to recruit professionals.

Businesses reported the most difficulty hiring skilled technicians and trade workers, with about 40% of surveyed firms citing those roles as hard to fill.

According to the report, the shortage of maths, science, technology and engineering skills is stifling productivity and competitiveness, potentially limiting companies’ ability to grow or innovate.

The findings come from an Australian Industry Group report based on a survey of 500 businesses, offering a snapshot of employer experiences that investors can use as a market signal about workforce constraints.

About a quarter of surveyed businesses reported trouble recruiting professionals, which may signal talent bottlenecks in higher-skilled roles that could affect firms’ strategic plans and execution.

Investors can factor in workforce risks by checking whether companies report hiring difficulties, plans for training or automation, and whether skill gaps might affect productivity and competitiveness.

The report itself highlights the problem rather than prescribing actions. For investors, a practical next step is to monitor company disclosures and industry commentary about talent, training and recruitment challenges as part of assessing operational risk.