Victoria’s Trades Hiring Market Confidence Is Back, but the Shortage Isn’t

After a couple of quieter years, things are moving again. We’re having more conversations, and they’re different. Businesses that held off on hiring longer than they wanted to are now stepping back in.

At TRS, we’re seeing it in the volume of roles coming through and the intent behind them. There’s less hesitation. More clarity. People know they need to hire, and they’re getting on with it.

But here’s the reality. Confidence is back, yes but this doen’t mean hiring has become easier. Demand has picked up, but the skilled trades pool hasn’t suddenly grown. I see that pressure has increased. Businesses expecting a softer market are going to feel that pretty quickly.

What We’re Seeing on the Ground

Not every business is hiring for the same reason as some are seeing real growth and need to rebuild their teams. Others have changed direction and need different capability and simply reached the point where gaps are impacting delivery, and they can’t wait anymore.

That’s a change in gears from what we saw a couple of years ago. Back then it was volume hiring, quick decisions, and often short term thinking. Now it’s more considered, being a good thing.

Better planning leads to better hires. But it also takes more lead time than most businesses allow for.

Skilled Trades Are Still Tight

The reality hasn’t changed. Skilled trades are still the hardest part of the market.

Boilermakers, mechanical fitters, diesel mechanics, electricians, field service technicians. If you need experience, reliability, and the right compliance, those candidates are still hard to find.

This isn’t temporary. As we’ve said before, skills shortages in Australia are structural, not cyclical.

Training takes time and experience takes years. The people who have both are in demand regardless of what the economy is doing.

There is a difference now is competition as more businesses hiring at the same time means more pressure on the same candidate pool.

Why Skills Shortages in Australia Are Structural, Not Cyclical

What Good Hiring Looks Like Right Now

The businesses getting results are doing a few things consistently.

• They don’t wait until a role becomes urgent before starting
• They’re realistic about what the market can actually deliver
• They’re clear on what the role involves from day one

“Clarity” is what speeds things up. When we understand the role properly including the work, the site, the hours, the expectations we as recruiters can move quickly and put the right people forward.

When that’s missing, things will drag out and time is where you lose.

If you’re building out trades teams in Victoria, the work you do upfront will shape how competitive you are through the rest of the year.

Where Things Are Heading

Anyhow guys, it’s good to see the market moving again. And it’s even better to see businesses approaching hiring with more intent.

At the end of the day, businesses that will get ahead this year are the ones that plan properly and act when they need to.

If hiring is on your radar, have a conversation with me early. It makes a difference.

Tavis Shearer