27/11/2025
By Ellie Fuller, Partnership and Learning Consultant at IEP
Employment services are far more than vacancy-filling or compliance-checking. At their core, they shape the very fabric of the labour market — the dynamic space where people and opportunity meet. Every job placement, every referral to training, every employer connection sends ripples through industries, communities, and individual lives.
But how often do we pause to reflect on this influence? Do we truly grasp the scale of our impact?
The Realities We Work In
Australia’s labour market is under significant pressure. More than a third of occupations are currently in shortage, and the demand for skilled workers is outpacing supply. By 2034, nearly 90 per cent of new jobs will require post-school qualifications. Employers are no longer satisfied with technical capability alone — they seek adaptability, collaboration, resilience and emotional intelligence (Source: FSO Report).
Our own sector is feeling the strain. Employment services are expanding, with new providers entering the space, expectations rising and complexity deepening. Consultants are being asked to wear multiple hats — career coach, compliance expert, labour market analyst and community connector — often all at once.
Are We Aware of the Trends?
If we’re honest, many of us are so focused on day-to-day work that we rarely look up. Are we truly aware of the trends reshaping the labour market? Are we preparing for the skills that will be needed five or ten years from now? Are we equipping our workforce — both participants and consultants — to meet those demands?
These are not theoretical questions. They go to the heart of our effectiveness as a sector — and our responsibility as labour market influencers.
What Skills Will Be Needed?
Looking ahead, the skills that matter will span both technical and human capabilities. Digital literacy, green skills and industry-specific expertise will be essential. Equally important will be the ability to build trust, manage complex conversations and support people through change.
For employability consultants, this means mastering both labour market literacy and relational skills — the ability to interpret shifts in demand, and the confidence to walk alongside participants and employers as they adapt.
A Sector That Shapes the Economy
Employment services are not passive players in the labour market — we are its architects. We influence who enters the workforce, how they’re prepared, and where they go. That’s economic development. That’s nation-building.
So the question for leaders is not: “Should we invest in capability?”
It is: “Are we ready to lead the future of work?”
Because the strength of our sector — and its ability to shape the labour market — depends on the strength of our people.
The Strategic Imperative
This is where capability-building becomes critical. To serve our communities, support our participants and meet the needs of industry, we must invest in training that is practical, evidence-based and grounded in the realities of the role.
This is more than professional development. It’s sector leadership in action.
A Call to Action
Employment services are no longer just a support function — they are a strategic force shaping Australia’s economic future. Every consultant, every job placement, every training referral is a lever of influence in a labour market under pressure and transformation.
To truly lead the future of work, we must invest in the people who guide others through it.
Employment practitioners need more than compliance checklists — they need the skills to:
- Identify emerging job roles in a shifting economy
- Spot and create opportunities through job carving and employer engagement
- Mentor individuals through career transitions and life changes
- Interpret labour market trends and translate them into action
- Build trust and navigate complexity with empathy and insight
I invite you to reflect: Are you aware of the skills your consultants will need to thrive in this space? Can we help?