What do employers want? Examining the mismatch of labour demand and supply through a study of employment services in Australia

This project examined employer perspectives on active labour market programs delivered by employment service providers, investigating the disconnect between job seeker expectations and employer experiences in recruitment through employment services. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research combined in-depth qualitative interviews with both employers and job seekers alongside a vignette experiment involving hiring managers in Australia.

The findings provide comprehensive evidence to improve employment service provider practices and inform evidence-based labour market policies.

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Dr Arianna Gatta
Research Fellow, School of Economics and Centre for Policy Futures, The University of Queensland

Ms Ria Thornton
Employment Services Industry Expert and Independent Consultant

Dr Rose-Marie Stambe
Adjunct Fellow, School of Social Sciences, The University of Queensland

Dr Christine Ablaza
Lecturer, College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Flinders University and Honorary Research Fellow, Centre for Policy Futures, The University of Queensland

Dr Todd Morris
Lecturer, School of Economics, The University of Queensland

Professor Greg Marston
Director, Centre for Policy Futures, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

UQ Faculty of Business, Economics & Law Connect Grant