Kinexus’ 2023 Hiring Intentions report reveals insights into the hiring demands of defence industry. Around 80% of defence industry employers were surveyed, and huge growth is predicted.
In the next 12 months defence industry expects to hire around 4,500 workers, the highest figure Kinexus has seen since we began surveying.
Employers are anticipating annual staff turnover of between 10% and 20%.
Whilst the Defence Strategic Review (DSR) has caused uncertainty across some areas of industry, the Defence acquisition and sustainment environment is creating strong hiring demand nationally.
Hiring intentions by sector
Distribution of expected hiring activity by sector
Hiring intentions over time by sector
Predicted hiring in the aerospace domain has increased year-on-year, and is being stimulated by autonomous systems projects in QLD and regional NSW. The space sector is also set to experience significant growth thanks to military satcom projects coming downrange.
The DSR has had the biggest impact on the land domain; this is evidenced by the low projected hiring in the land sector over the next 12 months.
Hiring in the ICT sector remains strong and stable, but employers are increasingly attempting to distribute their workforces outside of Canberra, which explains the dip in hiring demand in ACT relative to other locations.
Hiring intentions by state
Distribution of expected hiring by state
Hiring intentions over time by state
The dip in ACT hiring can be attributed to the trend discussed above where ICT employers are looking to decentralise their workforces outside of Canberra. The DSR has also contributed to the dip in ACT hiring, as professional services employers enter a period of uncertainty with regards to future workforce needs.
WA is experiencing an increase in demand for blue collar workers which has contributed to its spike to making up 13% of all predicted hiring.
After several years of low numbers, predicted hiring in NSW has now retuned to pre-COVID levels.
Overall, despite the backdrop of change, hiring in defence industry is set to continue at unprecedented levels. Opportunities continue to exist for defence industry workers across most skill sets and in most locations. To ensure your business is ready for the increased competition and workforce challenges, get in touch with Kinexus today.
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