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ANZSCO: 3132 TELECOMMUNICATIONS TECHNICAL SPECIALISTS

develop, monitor and carry out technical support functions for telecommunications networksand install computer equipment, computer systems and microwave, telemetry, multiplexing,satellite and other radio and electromagnetic wave communication systems.This Unit Group contains the following occupations included on the 2012 Skilled OccupationList (SOL):

313211 Radiocommunications Technician313212 Telecommunications Field Engineer313213 Telecommunications Network Planner313214 Telecommunications Technical Officer or TechnologistIndicative Skill LevelMost occupations in this Unit Group have a level of skill commensurate with the qualificationsand experience in AQF Associate Degree, Advanced Diploma or Diploma (ANZSCO SkillLevel 2). At least three years of relevant experience and/or relevant vendor certification maysubstitute for the formal qualifications listed above. In some instances relevant experienceand/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.Specialised Occupation CriteriaLong lead timeTelecommunications Technical Specialists meet the criteria for long lead time, as entry to thisoccupation requires a substantial training commitment.Of apprentices and trainees, 83% take three years or more (full-time equivalent) to completetheir training (NCVER Apprentices and Trainees, 2011).

High riskTelecommunications Technical Specialists were also found to meet the criteria for high risk/highdisruption. This indicates that shortage of skills causes significant cost to the community and/oreconomy.

Telecommunications Technical Specialists are important to meet government policy priorities.These include: the National Broadband Network (NBN); improving mobile services in regional,rural and remote areas; and improving telecommunication services for all Australians.SOL SummaryEmployment of Telecommunications Technical Specialists rose strongly over the five years to

November 2011.

Shortages of Radiocommunications Technicians are widespread and employment across thisgroup is expected to rise at about the same rate as all occupations over the next five years to2015-16.

Labour turnover is similar to the all occupations average but the age profile, about half theworkers are aged 45 years and over, suggests demand to replace workers who retire will bestrong over the next decade or so.

VET commencements and completions have been decreasing by about 10% per year in recentyears, indicating supply will not keep up with demand

On balance the demand for all occupations within the Unit Group of TelecommunicationsTechnical Specialists is expected to exceed supply over the medium to longer term.

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Occupation trendsANZSCO: 3132 Telecommunications Technical Specialists

Employment level 7100 Almost all workers are employed full-time (96.5%).6 digit employment(2006 Census) 3132-11 Radiocommunications Technician 10103132-12 Telecommunications Field Engineer 150

3132-13 Telecommunications Network Planner 8903132-14 Telecommunications Technical Officer or Technologist 1850Employment growth Over the five years to November 2011, employment in this occupation morethan doubled (compared with growth of 10.4% for all occupations). Employment over the next fiveyears is expected to increase by 10.4%.Unemployment rate 1.5% compared with 3.1% for all occupations.Educational profile 67.8% have a Certificate III or IV.Vacancies The Internet Vacancy Index (IVI) rose by 76.8% over the 12 months to November2011. Vacancies for all occupations fell by 7.1%.Gender13.6% of workers in this occupation are female (compared with 45.5% for all occupations).Labour turnover Annually, 13.9% of ICT and Telecommunications Technicians (whichincludes Telecommunications Technical Specialists) leave their occupation group, creating some

potential job openings (this compares with 14.2% across all occupations).Age profile The median age is 46 years and 50.5% of workers are aged 45 years and over(compared with 38.5% for all occupations).Earnings Median full-time weekly earnings (before tax) are $1250 compared with $1050 forall occupations.Graduate outcomes Not available.Skill shortagesThe occupation of Radiocommunications Technician was assessed for the first timein 2011 and was found to be in shortage.Labour market

3132-11 Radiocommunications TechnicianA number of employers report that they are continuously recruiting for this occupation and have alarge number of ongoing, unfilled positions. Very few applicants have the skills and experiencerequired by employers and shortages are evident.Slightly more than a quarter of surveyed Radiocommunications Technician vacancies were filled in2011, and although there was an average of 2.7 applicants per vacancy, employers considered just0.5 to be suitable.A number of employers noted that demand for Radiocommunications Technicians tends to becyclical and that at present, demand for these skills is high due to the large amount of infrastructureinvestment and construction currently occurring.

3132-12 Telecommunications Field EngineerNot assessed

3132-13 Telecommunications Network PlannerNot assessed

3132-14 Telecommunications Technical Officer or TechnologistNot assessed

Telecommunications Technical Specialists Employed Persons Nov 2001 to Nov 2011 graph hasbeen removed to enable this document to be available to people with information accessibility

needs. The image is included in the PDF version of this publication.

Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) January 2012

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Telecommunications Technical Specialists Internet Vacancy Index 3 monthly average Nov 2006 toNov 2011 graph has been removed to enable this document to be available to people withinformation accessibility needs. The image is included in the PDF version of this publication.

Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) January 2012