The Australian economy risks being crippled under the strain of too many people stuck in the wrong jobs unless an urgent investment is made in building the career development skills of the Australian workforce.

“Productive energy is being lost right across our economy as Australians persevere in jobs that they have either grown out of or are simply not suited to”, says Carole Brown, National President of the Career Development Association of Australia.

The Career Development Association of Australia is calling on the government and industry to directly invest in developing the career management skills of all Australians.

“The positive links between worker satisfaction and their productivity is well established. A large factor in finding a satisfying job lies in the ability of people to make informed career and job choices.

“The economy will be better placed to face the productivity challenges associated with an expanding and ageing workforce by equipping people with the information and skills necessary to make correct career and job choices.

“With some industries facing chronic skills shortages, the ability to attract and retain quality workers is assisted through employer-sponsored career development.

“Likewise, Government-funded training and education will have more productive results if people are able to make informed choices about the training that they undertake.

“The ability to make positive and informed career and job choices, throughout your lifespan, is a skill more and more Australians must develop – the productivity benefits of having the right people in the right jobs at the right time are palpable.

“With the challenges facing our modern economy finding the right job is no longer a luxury, it is a necessity”, says Ms Brown.