New free register to connect skilled migrants with WA jobs

The WA State Government has today launched a new Skilled Migrant Employment Register to attract workers to key industries, helping to deliver the skilled labour needed to support Western Australia’s strong economy and jobs market.

The free register, available now, can be accessed through the WA Migration Portal and has been designed to support skilled migrants to settle in WA while giving employers visibility of new talent. The register will also support regional employers by linking migrants who indicate preferred employment in regional areas to employment opportunities in country WA. It is free for both employers and prospective migrants.

For more information visit www.migration.wa.gov.au

In addition, six more building and construction occupations have been added to WA’s skilled occupation list to support the continued high level of activity in the sector. These include project builders; surveyors; building inspectors; building and engineering technicians; roof tilers; and airconditioning and refrigeration mechanics.

New statistics also show the McGowan Government’s efforts to rebuild the training sector over the past five years are delivering incredibly strong results, including in building and construction and electrical apprenticeships and traineeships.

  • There are now more than 10,000 building and construction and electrical apprentices and trainees currently engaged in WA  — an all-time record.
  • Building and construction apprenticeship completions rose from 3,166 in 2020 to 4,046 in 2021 — a 28 per cent increase.
  • Building and construction apprenticeship commencements have increased by more than 150 per cent in the past 12 months compared to the 12 months prior  — up from 1,065 in May 2020 to 2,232 in May 2022.
  • Electrical apprenticeship commencements have nearly doubled over the past two years  — from 1,146 in May 2020 to 2,232 in May 2022.
  • The number of building and construction apprentices in training has increased from 2,583 in May 2020 to 4,558 in 2022 — a 76 per cent increase.
  • The number of electrical apprentices in training has increased from 3,377 in 2020 to 4,872 in 2022 — a 24 per cent increase.

There have also been significant increases in those undertaking apprenticeships for electrical mechanics and gas fitting, bricklaying, carpentry and joinery.

These training and skills initiatives — including the $195 million Reconnect WA program — are working to address Western Australia’s workforce needs and help sustain the State’s very strong economy. In 2021, the State Nominated Migration Program (SNMP) was expanded to include 164 occupations; including 28 building and construction occupations to support WA's economic recovery.

The State Government is also working to attract building and construction workers to WA through the Build a Life in WA campaign. Since the campaign’s soft launch in the UK and Ireland on 3 July, visits to the Build a Life website have increased by 101 per cent and referrals to SEEK have increased by 151 per cent from users in the UK and Ireland.

Launching the register, Premier Mark McGowan said “My Government continues to work with industry to meet WA’s workforce needs. Our very strong economy continues to require skilled labour in a diverse range of industries and these measures are another important proactive step to address these issues. The new register will provide an opportunity for employers to connect with skilled migrants, identifying the capabilities they need, and adding to the pipeline of skilled workers in demand in WA. “

Read the full media statement here


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Page last updated February 09, 2024