Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing
Age by Industry
Age by Occupation
Age by Education
Age by Working Arrangements
Age by Industry Trends
Age by Industry
The average age (mean) of the Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing industry is 44.4 years. This represents the oldest average age compared to all other industry, with almost half of all workers aged 45 years and over. The chart below indicates the high concentration of Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing workers in older aged groups. The largest proportion of workers are in the 35 to 39 year age group (11.8 per cent), followed by 45 to 49 years (11.5 per cent).
AGE BY INDUSTRY
Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing
Age grouping
ABS (2001) Labour Force Australia
Projections of the age profile of the Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing industry against the age profile of the population in ten years time, shows that there could be considerable variation between these two profiles. Most noticeable is the divergence at the 20 to 24 years and 55 years and over age groups, demonstrating a higher proportional concentration of older people compared to the Australia population.
Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing
Workforce Population Age Profile Year 2004
Age by Occupation
The oldest employees within Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing are Managers and Administrators, aged 49.4 years on average and Advanced Clerical and Service Workers, whose average age is 43.7 years. The youngest group are Labourers and Related Workers, aged 35.6 years.
AGE BY OCCUPATION
Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing
Occupation
ABS (2001) Labour Force Australia
Age by Education
The level and currency of technical and generic skills held by workers within Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing correlates strongly with the productive capacity of the industry over the long term. At present, over two-thirds of all workers in Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing have no post-secondary education.
The majority of the workers, who do hold a post-secondary qualification, have a certificate level qualification (15 per cent). The level of higher degrees obtained by workers in this industry is comparatively low when compared to the average across industries. Younger people aged 15 to 44 years, have a greater proportion of workers who have obtained qualifications. 34.5 per cent of people in this age group have qualifications, compared to 29 per cent of workers aged 45 years and over. Eighty per cent of workers aged 45 years and over who do hold post-secondary qualifications, obtained them before 1980. For workers aged less than 45 years, 50 per cent had completed their qualification prior to 1990.
| Highest Qualification | 15 to 44yrs | 45yrs and over | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Postgraduate Degree Level | 0.6% | 1.0% | 0.8% |
| Graduate Diploma and Graduate Certificate Level | 0.5% | 0.7% | 0.6% |
| Bachelor Degree Level | 5.1% | 4.2% | 4.7% |
| Advanced Diploma and Diploma Level | 5.3% | 5.1% | 5.2% |
| Certificate Level | 17.9% | 11.8% | 14.9% |
| No Post-secondary Education | 65.5% | 71.0% | 68.2% |
| Other | 5.3% | 6.1% | 5.7% |
| Total | 100.0% | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| Year completed qualification | 15 to 44yrs | 45yrs and over | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Before 1971 | 52.9% | 23.1% | |
| 1971-1980 | 14.4% | 27.1% | 20.0% |
| 1981-1985 | 18.1% | 5.2% | 12.4% |
| 1986-1990 | 17.0% | 6.0% | 12.2% |
| 1991-1995 | 22.9% | 2.6% | 14.0% |
| 1996-1997 | 7.7% | 2.1% | 5.2% |
| 1998-1999 | 9.5% | 2.6% | 6.5% |
| 2000-2001 | 10.3% | 1.6% | 6.5% |
| Total | 100.0% | 100.0% | 100.0% |
Age by Working Arrangements
The working arrangements of employees within Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing are diverse, representing the degree of flexibility within the industry and the demands of the job for individuals. More than one fifth of employees within the industry work less than 40 hours a week. There is only a slightly higher proportion of younger people (15 to 44 years) who work less than 40 hours compared to older workers, 23.3 per cent and 20.5 per cent respectively. Yet there is a significantly higher proportion of workers aged 45 years and over, who work more than 40 hours a week (57 per cent), compared to 50 per cent of younger workers.
| Hours worked | 15 to 44yrs | 45yrs and over | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-15 hours | 8.6% | 5.7% | 7.2% |
| 16-24 hours | 6.3% | 7.0% | 6.7% |
| 25-34 hours | 8.4% | 7.8% | 8.1% |
| 35-39 hours | 7.9% | 5.5% | 6.7% |
| 40 hours | 18.9% | 17.0% | 17.9% |
| 41-48 hours | 9.7% | 8.8% | 9.2% |
| 49 or more hours | 40.1% | 48.2% | 44.1% |
| Total | 100.0% | 100.0% | 100.0% |
Age by Industry Trends
As productivity measures and the mechanisation of farming have been introduced into the Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing industry, the opportunities for low skilled work has diminished. To remain employable within the industry therefore, workers as they age must improve their skills base. Declining profitability of traditional enterprises has also required a more multi-skilled workforce for survival. This has included the diversification of commodities, value adding and localised processing and supply chains. Older workers must not only improve their skill level, but to seek to diversify there skill capabilities.
Factors that will assist the development of a learning culture within the Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing industry is the promotion of its benefits to workers. For example, making employees aware that it will make their job easier by having all appropriate skills and that it will enhance their job satisfaction though meaningful work, career and promotion opportunities. Due to the low employment turnover within the industry however, entry level training will not be as essential as re-skilling of the current workforce, using flexible training packages, licensing and regulated work functions, recognition of current competency and recognition of prior learning.
Source:
Institute for Regional and Rural Research, University of Ballarat (2004) Regional Research Framework - Position Paper No. 2, Critical Issues Facing Rural Regions
