The Territory has experienced considerable growth in the jobs market with approximately 3000 new jobs created across the Territory over the past two years1. Unemployment over this time has been at record low levels and consistently lower than other jurisdictions. These factors are expected to continue into the foreseeable future with Deloitte Access Economics predicting the Territory will experience the third strongest economic growth in the nation and strong employment growth rates, on average, over the next five years.

A range of major resource projects, both on and off-shore, are set to see the Territory emerge as a resource development and export location, creating more demand for skilled and semi­skilled workers and new business opportunities.

In the period to 2015-16 it is anticipated in the NT:

• the demand for workers generally is to increase by 20 000 people2
• the demand for construction workers (predominantly trades) will increase by 5500 largely due to major projects3
• there is expected to be significant competition for workers nationally due to the numerous major resource projects underway or planned to commence
• the working age population (aged 15+ years) is projected to grow by approximately 13 000 persons4.

To build on workforce development to date, research suggests that the Territory could focus on the following areas to meet these challenges:

• sector specific workforce development strategies
• continued support for small to medium enterprises (SMEs) and industry
• increasing responsiveness of the training system
• increasing Indigenous participation in the workforce
• strengthening skilled migration services.

1 Labour Force Survey, Australian Bureau of Statistics, November 2011
2 Centre of Policy Studies at Monash University, Monash Employment Forecasts, June 2011 (2010/11-2015/16)
3 The Pit Crew Report, Pit Crew Consulting Services Pty LTD, Northern Territory, May 2011
4 NT Population Projections 2011 (2011-2016) NT Treasury