The latest results from the quarterly Clarius Skills Index have predicted that if unemployment continues to rise there will be an oversupply of between 35,000 and 50,000 skilled workers in Australia by 2010.

The Index indicates that skills shortages across most industries peaked in the December 2008 quarter and were likely to fall over the next 18 months.

Unemployment has reached record levels in the last couple of months, and Clarius Group executive chairman Geoff Moles said the predicted oversupply of labour would represent a massive change in the employment landscape, but will not affect every industry.

“While economic pressures are changing the national employment landscape rapidly, the skilled labour market easing does not reflect the reality in every industry sector.”

Last year, Clarius reported on the top ten industries facing skills shortages which included chefs, tradespersons and health and building professionals.



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