Innovation and Business

Innovation and Business

The Innovation and Business industry holds a dynamic and underpinning place in the Australian economy, and accounts for up to 28 per cent of the Australian workforce. Almost every business in the country has some functions and workers who represent this industry. In fact, other industries employ about 80 per cent of the people working in Innovation and Business occupations.

The industry also underpins Australia’s move to a knowledge-based and innovative economy with a significant number of Australia’s knowledge workers coming from within this industry. Globalisation has also had a impact on the industry with e-business activities commonplace and high value e-services important for export.

Currently, the industry is experiencing an accelerated convergence of technologies. Technologies which formerly sat within one industry sector (for example, graphic arts or financial services) are blurring the borders and leading to new and changing job roles and skills needs.

Industry employers range from sole traders to multinationals, and operate in six diverse sectors.

Business services have occupations that are fundamental to businesses, such as executive assistants, occupational health and safety supervisors, and human resource officers.

Cultural covers occupations such as animators, journalists, and film, TV and radio directors.

Financial services include finance and insurance, with occupations such as accountants, bookkeepers and insurance agents.

Information and communication technologies are used for accessing, gathering, manipulating nd presenting or communicating information. The sector includes occupations such as computer programrs and database designers.

Printing and graphic arts cover occupations such as printers, binders, finishers, desktop publishing operators and graphic designers.

Education focuses on vocational training, and includes occupations closely linked to industry such as workplace trainers and literacy support officers.

The Innovation and Business industry maintains a core permanent workforce with a shifting network of temporary employees, outsourced workers and consultants. The contemporary workforce is highly mobile, with career shifts within and between occupations and industry sectors becoming increasingly common.

Total employment for Innovation and Business is forecast to grow faster than the all-industry average, and there is an increasing demand for a blended and flexible workforce with a portfolio of skills in areas such as problem-solving, teamwork, business acumen, information and communication technologies, financial literacy, small business, occupational health and safety, and training compliance.