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Like many industries within Australia, some career paths within the ADF are subject to skills shortages. It is vital that these shortages are addressed in order for the ADF to maintain optimum performance. Skill shortages exist when employers are unable to fill or have difficulty in filling vacancies for an occupation, or a specialised skill is needed within that occupation.
Shortages are typically for specialised and/or experienced workers, and can coexist with relatively high overall unemployment in the occupation or a large amount ofqualified people in the line of work as a whole. Some of the reasons for skills shortages may be:
• Potential applicants unaware of existing opportunities
• High level of competition for workers within the industry
• Very specific skill sets required
• Poor public image of the industry.
The main areas in which the ADF are experiencing skills shortages are in health, engineering and trades – all career paths essential to the working of the ADF. These shortages are being addressed in a variety of ways including:
• Specialist Recruitment Teams (SRTs) for the health, engineering and trade areas. ADF members with an excellent working knowledge of health, engineering or trade areas have been identified to examine different ways of attracting potential candidates in their industry. This is achieved by improving the effectiveness of the ADF’s marketing campaigns (see Edition 4’s Case Study for more details) to target these core areas. The SRTs visit Universities, Industry associations and careers expos to reach their target audience.
• Increasing awareness of the qualifications necessary for these roles. For example, maths and sciences are crucial for considering careers in health, engineering and some trades. Detailing career and education specific information on www.defencejobs.gov.au is one way of increasing awareness of qualification requirements. The ADF aims to ensure that students make educated decisions that allow them access to the greatest number of career options possible.
Jessica Anne Burton - Air Force Nursing Officer
“After completing a Bachelor of Science, specialising in Nursing, I started investigating the potential of joining the Air Force. My father was deployed to East Timor at the time and encouraged me to consider this opportunity.
I was impressed to see that they offer a brilliant clinical range for their nurses. In addition, I liked the potential to develop my skills through specialising in the field of ‘Aero Medical Evacuation’—a form of medical air transportation, definitely not something most nurses get to do on a day-to-day basis!
Since joining the Air Force Medical division, I have been encouraged to learn more about health and to care for Australian Defence Force personnel. In addition, I have relished the team unity and effort which is promoted within the division.
Working as a Nursing Officer in the Air Force has taken me further than I could ever have imagined. Not only have I travelled to Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Wodonga for training, but in 2006 I was deployed overseas. I spent six months in the Middle East and in 2007, was deployed to East Timor and Yogjakarta, in Indonesia. Following this, I was flown to Germany to accompany an Air Force patient home from an American hospital.
The study opportunities available in the ADF to further develop my professional skills are fantastic; I am currently studying a Masters in Public Health (Defence) which I will complete early this year. By furthering my qualifications I hope to have the opportunity to deploy again in an active war zone and to deliver humanitarian aid.
Being a Nurse in the Air Force has challenged my career unlike any hospital based job could. I’ve learnt how to care for people in different environments and under different circumstances, and whilst I’ve utilised what I’ve learnt at University, I’ve also had to adapt my training and experience to changing situations. This has kept my job both interesting and exciting.
The Air Force is always full of activity. It can be demanding and has a high operational tempo—work is often challenging, both physically and mentally. However, at the same time, your day-to-day activities are also an important element of our nation’s defence. This makes me feel like I am really contributing to the community and the preservation of Australia.”
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ADF Case Studies