Skills shortage hits local government

LOCAL government is the latest sector to be hit by the shortage of skilled workers in Western Australia, with a new report saying the shortage is making it hard for local government to do its job properly. Planners, engineers, finance managers, environmental health officers and building surveyors are the five professions in shortest supply, a report commissioned by the Local Government Managers Association WA has found. The report follows the release of the Federal Government’s latest skilled vacancies index, which found another sharp increase in vacancies in WA. The WA index rose 2.2 per cent in April and by 20.9 per cent over the year to April. Occupations recording the biggest annual increase in vacancies included food trades, health professionals, metal trades and electricians. The local government report said staff typically moved in search of career advancement, more money and lifestyle changes.