The Marshall Liberal Government has today welcomed the news that over 14,500 more South Australians are in work over the year to June, of which 60 per cent are working full time.
The trend unemployment rate in South Australia has remained steady at 5.9 per cent, while the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate has risen slightly to 5.9 per cent.
"These latest figures indicate steady growth in the South Australian economy, with total employment reaching the highest level ever achieved, with 857,600 South Australians productively employed in the economy," Minister for Innovation and Skills David Pisoni said.
"While there is clearly more work to be done, it's encouraging to see the trend participation rate rise to its highest level in eight years, as more South Australians have the confidence to look for work.
"ABS data relating to job vacancies show that they are now 46.3 per cent higher than they were five years earlier and 9 per cent up over the year to May.
"SA now has a record high number of hours worked, with 116.6 million hours worked in June, up 2.7 million hours from a year earlier."
In a clear sign of growing confidence in the direction of the South Australian economy, a number of recent economic announcements have been made, including:
- Stone & Chalk announced as the anchor tenant and operator of the startup hub at Adelaide's innovation precinct, Lot Fourteen
- World-leading university MIT establishing a Living Lab in Adelaide
- Tourism expenditure reaching a record $7.2 billion
- Over 650 new jobs supporting the EPS Energy solar farm near Robertstown
- 50 new jobs to be created at Bird in Hand's cellar door upgrade
- 60 new hospitality jobs to be created at the Adelaide Casino's new restaurant and bar 'The Guardsman'
- 32 new jobs announced at Sony Interactive Entertainment, in the burgeoning creative and high tech industries
"All of these announcements are very encouraging, but we remain committed to doing more to grow the South Australian economy," Minister Pisoni said.
"That's why the Marshall Liberal Government is delivering the Skilling South Australia initiative, creating an additional 20,800 apprenticeships and traineeships over the next four years."
Recent NCVER figures show that government-funded Vocational Education and Training (VET) activity by non-government providers has risen in South Australia by 5.4 per cent, despite a decline nationally, showing the positive impact of the Skilling Australia initiative in growing the VET sector.
