Advanced trade, technical and professional qualifications – matching supply to demand

4 - Information Technology

The first report found that there was an adequate supply of people with diploma-level qualifications in information technology, but an unmet demand for people with bachelors degrees and above in this field. This unmet demand is in the physical, mathematical and engineering science professions as well as in the physical science and engineering associate professions. This demand is being driven by technology development.

4.1 Match of qualifications to occupation

People with information technology qualifications are more likely to work in the relevant professional and technical occupation groups than others with the same level of qualification.
Figure 4.1 shows that for those with diplomas in information technology, there is a moderate match to the relevant occupations. The match is stronger for those with bachelors and above. However, at both levels they are about equally likely to work in other occupations.

4.2 Unemployment

Figure 4.2 shows that the unemployment rates for people with information technology qualifications are higher than for people with the same level of qualification in other fields.

There are limited differences in unemployment rates between males and females. The unemployment rates are higher for people with diplomas, suggesting that there may be oversupply in this area. However, people with bachelors or above in information technology are also more likely to be unemployed than others with the same level of qualification in other fields. This result raises questions about whether the content of qualifications held is relevant to current industry needs.

4.3 Income

Managers and professionals with information technology qualifications are likely to earn more than others with the same level of qualifications.

Figure 4.3 shows that people with information technology qualifications at both bachelors and diploma level earn more in management and professional occupations. While there is a premium for working as a professional, people with diplomas earn less as technicians than others with the same level of qualification. At bachelors level, there is very little premium for working as an information technology professional.

Figure 4.1:  Are people with information technology qualifications more likely to work in related occupations?

Compared with people with the same level of qualification in other fields.

Figure 4.2:  Are people with information technology qualifications more likely to be unemployed? 

Compared with people with the same level of qualification in other fields.

Figure 4.3:  Are people with information technology qualifications likely to earn more?

Compared with people with the same level of qualification in other fields.

Proportion earning more than $50,000 a year for diplomas and more than $70,000 for bachelors and above.