Today’s data on job vacancies from the National Skills Commission has again confirmed Tasmania’s economic recovery is well underway.
The data shows Tasmanian job vacancies grew by 13.3 per cent in February, which is the highest monthly growth in the nation and nearly twice the growth seen nationally.
This means vacancies are now 52.4 per cent higher than February last year before the pandemic, which is again the highest growth in the nation, and more than double national growth over the year.
Jobs are returning, employment is back to pre-pandemic levels and Tasmania has the lowest unemployment rate of any State according to the ABS.
Importantly, we are taking action to ensure that Tasmanians fill these jobs, with the $21 million JobTrainer Fund to deliver up to 7,000 additional free training places, and our $22 million investment to significantly boost jobs for apprentices, trainees and youth employees. These initiatives complement the Australian Government’s announcement today to extend the Boosting Apprentices Commencement wage subsidy which has so far supported more than 3,000 Tasmanians.
But we know there is more to do, and we will continue our strong focus on growing our economy, creating jobs, and getting more Tasmanians into work as we continue to rebuild a stronger Tasmania.