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The economic boom, population and structural change and the market for tradespersons

Author

Listed:
  • Phil Lewis

    (University of Canberra)

  • Michael Corliss

    (University of Canberra)

Abstract

The economic boom concentrated attention on skill shortages in Australia and their role in preventing the economy from reaching its full potential level of output and putting pressure on inflation. This paper concentrates on the extent to which the supply of tradespersons has adjusted to changed economic conditions and the regional dimension of these supply changes. While there is much anecdotal evidence on the regional dimension of skill shortages this has mainly focused on flows of labour into the resource-rich states of Western Australia and Queensland but there is no comprehensive analysis of the extent of the regional distribution of skilled labour, such as tradespersons, or the extent of changes in the population of tradespersons between regions as the economy as a whole and particular regions have experienced significant economic growth. This study uses mainly data from the Censuses of Population and Housing. The main finding of this paper is while socio economic factors affect the decision of tradespersons as to where to live and work, these effects appear limited. And while ever the issue of labour shortages for tradespersons exists, targeted immigration will have a role to play in reducing these deficiencies.

Suggested Citation

  • Phil Lewis & Michael Corliss, 2011. "The economic boom, population and structural change and the market for tradespersons," Australian Journal of Labour Economics (AJLE), Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC), Curtin Business School, vol. 14(3), pages 289-305.
    • Handle: RePEc:ozl:journl:v:14:y:2011:i:3:p:289-305
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Boyd Hunter, 1996. "Explaining Changes in the Social Structure of Employment: The Importance of Geography," Discussion Papers 0067, University of New South Wales, Social Policy Research Centre.
    2. Ross Kelly & Philip E.T. Lewis, 2003. "The New Economy and Demand for Skills," Australian Journal of Labour Economics (AJLE), Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC), Curtin Business School, vol. 6(1), pages 135-152, March.
    3. Anne M. Garnett & Philip E. T. Lewis, 2007. "Population And Employment Changes In Regional Australia," Economic Papers, The Economic Society of Australia, vol. 26(1), pages 29-43, March.
    4. J. G. Tokle & Wallace E. Huffman, 1991. "Local Economic Conditions and Wage Labor Decisions of Farm and Rural Nonfarm Couples," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 73(3), pages 652-670.
    5. Guangqing Chi & Jun Zhu, 2008. "Spatial Regression Models for Demographic Analysis," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 27(1), pages 17-42, February.
    6. Jeremy Lawson & Jacqueline Dwyer, 2002. "Labour Market Adjustment in Regional Australia," RBA Research Discussion Papers rdp2002-04, Reserve Bank of Australia.
    7. Guy Debelle & James Vickery, 1999. "Labour Market Adjustment: Evidence on Interstate LabourMobility," Australian Economic Review, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, vol. 32(3), pages 249-263, September.
    8. Philip Lewis, 2008. "The First Two Decisions of the Australian Fair Pay Commission: A Critique," Agenda - A Journal of Policy Analysis and Reform, Australian National University, College of Business and Economics, School of Economics, vol. 15(2), pages 45-64.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kishor Sharma & Edward Oczkowski & John Hicks, 2017. "Skill Shortages in Regional New South Wales: The Case of the Riverina," Economic Papers, The Economic Society of Australia, vol. 36(1), pages 3-16, March.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J80 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Standards - - - General
    • J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure
    • J61 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers

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