It's not about goods this time; it's about finding the right people for the job, and it's becoming a pressing concern for our economy.

Since the pandemic hit, Australian employers have been pulling their hair out, struggling to fill job vacancies. They blame it on the Great Resignation – a cocktail of retirees, childcare struggles, and a shift in how people view work. But there's a deeper issue at play: our talent supply chain is faltering.

Think about it like this: A car manufacturer plans its parts orders years in advance to keep their assembly lines running smoothly. Now, imagine if they left it till the last minute, scrambling to find suppliers each month – chaos! Sadly, that's the reality for many Aussie businesses when it comes to hiring talent.

Since the swinging 60s, work relationships have become transactional – hire today, fire tomorrow, with no strings attached. Workers jump ship for better opportunities, leaving employers high and dry. With the Great Resignation, finding skilled workers has become like searching for a needle in a haystack, and it's taking its toll on productivity.

And the situation isn't looking up. Aussie businesses are witnessing a decline in the working-age population, coupled with a surge in retirements and women exiting the workforce. To top it off, fewer young Aussies are entering the job market, worsening the talent crunch.

Our education system isn't doing us any favours either. Many graduates lack the skills demanded by employers, leaving crucial sectors like logistics understaffed. Tech companies are resorting to creating their own training programs to fill the gaps.

So, what's the solution? Here are a few steps we need to take:

Cast a Wider Net:

Expand our search for talent. Look beyond traditional backgrounds and locations. Some candidates might lack certain skills but could be trained. It's also time to reassess job requirements – not every role needs a degree.

Grow Your Own:

Invest in your team's development. Instead of watching them jump ship for better opportunities, nurture their skills internally. Start training them for the future and offer clear pathways for career growth.

Supply-Chain Principles:

Treat education providers as partners. Share your job requirements, collaborate closely, and provide feedback. Let's focus on career-oriented programs that align with market demand.

Aussies aren't ones to shy away from a challenge. Let's band together and build a robust talent supply chain to fuel our economy's growth. The time to act is now!