Demand for employment in this sector in the region has increased by 15.8% in the census period 2001 to 2006. Numbers of students in schools has remained reasonably static over the last five years. The establishment of a Centre for the University of South Australia and university courses by Southern Cross University in Mount Gambier, the rise in age for compulsory school attendance and the delivery of a range of training by Registered Training Organisations has influenced this increase.

At a national level, forecasts for growth in this sector are stronger than average across sectors, but are subdued against growth in the past five years. Growth is expected to be strongest in school education and other education (which includes such sectors as ballet schools, nursing and theological colleges). Growth is projected to be slower in post school education. Changes in Government policy have the potential to effect these projections. These projections do not take the current global economic crisis into account.

Key employment in this sector in this region is in pre school and school, and tertiary education.

This industry has 48.2% of its workforce aged 45 years and over
76.7% of its workforce is female.
61% of the workforce is in full time work.
The majority of education enterprises within the region have less than 20 employees.

Likely future workforce picture:

• Growth in demand particularly in the southern part of the region leading to the need for a greater number of skilled workers.
• Increased issues around succession planning and skills development for the workforce.

Based on increased demand from 2001 to 2006, university activity in the region, government policy to support skills development and current activity to grow student numbers in the region, 350 additional jobs is a reasonable target for this sector in the next 5 years.

For more information:

Career Development Centre - Education

Teaching in South Australia