Level and Workable partner to tackle trades' talent gap

Level joins with the world-leader in recruiting software, Workable, as part of its mission to help address the skilled trades’ talent gap.

The difficulty hiring skilled electricians and plumbers in Australia is already well understood. Today, Level Group is taking active steps to help its Members access top talent in the trades in a first-of-its kind partnership, by joining forces with Workable. 

According to a report from the Australia Department of Jobs and Small Business, unfilled electrical vacancies are persistently high, and “Employers were generally not able to fill vacancies in metropolitan and regional NSW”. The same report noted that less than 1 applicant per vacancy was considered suitable for the position. 

On Seek alone, there are 11,000 electrical positions and nearly 4,000 plumbing positions being recruited for across Australia. Meanwhile, on another recruitment platform, Indeed, it has been noted that as many as 35% of listings for electrical jobs in Australia remain unfilled after sixty days, often having a devastating impact on smaller trade services businesses trying to meet demand.

A 2021 report from the National Skills Commission noted that, “Generally, shortages are greatest among ‘technicians and trades workers’ occupations”. This has been attributed to increased construction and a drop in the number of completions of electrician apprenticeships. And it has been reported that trade talent shortages disproportionately affect regional Australia, where countless independent plumbing and electrical businesses are trying to scale their teams to meet demand.

This sets the backdrop for Level Group and Workable to come together in a first-of-its-kind partnership to support Members in the battle for top talent, helping them find and hire the very best in these highly-competitive trade industries. Workable recruitment software provides best-in-class recruitment tools, processes, and automation in one complete solution. Since 2012, over 1 million candidates have found positions inside over 20,000 companies on the platform.

The Workable partnership is another way that Level continues to grow its value for Members of the Group, as part of a four-step plan to help Members Attract, Train, Retain & Grow their people. 

But McCallum fully understands that getting more effective at recruiting within the current supply constraints is only part of the solution for Level Members. In just the last month, he has presented to hundreds of New South Wales based students across multiple schools to help raise the profile of trade-based careers. He said,

“One way to help address structural talent shortages in this market is to foster the supply of new apprentices entering the workforce. That’s why one of our goals is to normalise trade school as a respected pathway after high school. I’m working with high schools in the NSW-area, through the Inspiring the Future initiative, to help grow the understanding and interest in Plumbing and Electrical trades as fantastic career pathways for many more students. It’s tremendously fulfilling opening up more options for students by sharing my own story of discovery in these amazing industries!”.

Above: Luke McCallum, Managing Director of Level Group, speaking to a classroom at Rosebank College in Five Dock, Sydney.

Below: Luke participating at an Inspiring the Future event at Jamison High School in Penrith, Sydney.

Importantly, McCallum recognizes that the trade industries have a long way to go to increase the viability and appeal of trade-based careers for women. A recent Electrical Workers Registration Board report from New Zealand highlighted that just four per cent of electrical workers in that country are female. 

To try to address this, a recent research project commissioned by the New Zealand Ministry of Women and Ako Aotearoa, titled ‘Women in Trades’, looked to increase female participation "where they are traditionally underrepresented". Among several factors, the project specifically called out lack of knowledge about opportunities in the trades and the potential influential role of school staff in educating more women about skills and requirements to enter the trades.

For further information about how Level Group is working to bring even more ambitious tradies together, contact Level Group Australia.

About Level Group

Level Group Australia is a national trade network created by industry experts and experienced tradies. As one of the fastest growing trade membership networks in Australia, we help independent plumbing and electrical businesses thrive, by providing the support they need to succeed.

Founded in 2021, the Level Group has experienced rapid growth in the trade services sector in Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania.  

For more information please contact Level Group Australia:

W: levelau.com.au

E: marketing@levelau.com.au 

P: 02 8904 0859