Wholesale Trade
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 workers in the Wholesale Trade industry is 39
years. This is fairly average when compared to the average age across all
industries. The chart below shows relatively even age distribution of workers in
Wholesale Trade, with a slightly stronger concentration of workers aged under 45
years. The largest proportion of workers occur in the 30 to 34 years (14.3 per
cent) and 40 to 44 year (13.6 per cent) age groups.
AGE BY INDUSTRY
Wholesale Trade
Age grouping
ABS (2001) Labour Force Australia
Projections of the age profile of the Wholesale Trade 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 diversion at the 20 to 24 years and 55 years and over age groups, demonstrating a higher proportional concentration of young people compared to the Australia population.
Wholesale Trade
Workforce Population Age Profile Year 2004
Age by Occupation
Workers across different occupational classes within the industry vary
substantially by age. Like many other industries, the oldest employees within
Wholesale Trade are Managers and Administrators, aged 43.4 years, followed by
Advanced Clerical and Service Workers, aged 42.5 years on average. The youngest
group are Labourers and Related Workers, aged 35.8 years.
AGE BY OCCUPATION
Wholesale Trade
Occupation
ABS (2001) Labour Force Australia
Age by Education
The level and currency of worker’s skills within Wholesale Trade is significant in determining the capacity of the industry to innovate and capitalise on technological developments. Fifty-seven percent of all workers in Wholesale Trade have not post-secondary education. This is higher for workers aged 45 years and over (59.2 per cent). The majority of the workers, who do hold a post-secondary qualification, have a certificate level qualification (22.2 per cent). A slightly greater proportion of younger workers have more post-certificate qualifications when compared to older people (17.2 per cent and 13.1 per cent respectively). Seventy-eight 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, 42 per cent had completed their qualification prior to 1990. These figures demonstrate that there is a higher concentration of recent post-secondary qualifications at younger ages.
| Highest Qualification | 15 to 44yrs | 45yrs and over | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Postgraduate Degree Level | 1.0% | 1.4% | 1.2% |
| Graduate Diploma and Graduate Certificate Level | .9% | .7% | .8% |
| Bachelor Degree Level | 9.9% | 5.2% | 8.3% |
| Advanced Diploma and Diploma Level | 5.4% | 5.8% | 5.5% |
| Certificate Level | 23.0% | 20.6% | 22.2% |
| No Post-secondary Education | 55.1% | 59.2% | 56.5% |
| Other | 4.7% | 7.0% | 5.4% |
| Total | 100.0% | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| Year completed qualification | 15 to 44yrs | 45yrs and over | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Before 1971 | 38.6% | 11.8% | |
| 1971-1980 | 10.0% | 39.5% | 19.0% |
| 1981-1985 | 14.1% | 6.5% | 11.8% |
| 1986-1990 | 18.2% | 4.1% | 13.9% |
| 1991-1995 | 24.6% | 4.9% | 18.6% |
| 1996-1997 | 9.1% | 1.4% | 6.8% |
| 1998-1999 | 13.8% | 2.7% | 10.4% |
| 2000-2001 | 10.2% | 2.3% | 7.8% |
| Total | 100.0% | 100.0% | 100.0% |
Age by Working Arrangements
The working arrangements of employees within Wholesale Trade are varied, with only one-quarter of Wholesale Trade workers employed on a standard full-time, 40 hour week basis. Thirty-six percent of employees within the industry work less than 40 hours a week. There are only a slightly higher proportion of younger people (15 to 44 years) who work less than 40 hours compared to older workers, 36.6 per cent and 34.9 per cent respectively. Almost 40 per cent of the Wholesale Trade workforce is employed for more than 40 hours per week. Working beyond the standard 40 hour week, raises questions about the capacity of workers to sustain productivity as they age.arrangement options for workers of all ages.
| Hours worked | 15 to 44yrs | 45yrs and over | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-15 hours | 6.0% | 5.3% | 5.7% |
| 16-24 hours | 5.1% | 6.3% | 5.5% |
| 25-34 hours | 6.8% | 7.9% | 7.1% |
| 35-39 hours | 18.7% | 15.4% | 17.6% |
| 40 hours | 25.5% | 23.3% | 24.8% |
| 41-48 hours | 15.7% | 13.5% | 14.9% |
| 49 or more hours | 22.3% | 28.4% | 24.4% |
| Total | 100.0% | 100.0% | 100.0% |
Age by Industry Trends
The Wholesale Trade industry has been marked by significant change because of trends towards reducing supply channels, Wholesalers have been by-passed by retailers or final consumers, through the rise of warehouse outlets and technology driven B2B and B2C trade. This has lead to significant declines in employment over the last six years. Job insecurity amongst workers in the industry is significant, particularly for older employees.
This change has been driven by investment in technology assets to enhance productivity in processing. Skill enhancement of workers of all ages is critical to adapt to this new environment. The level of access to relevant vocational training in Wholesale Trade competencies needs to be improved to assist the industry to develop a culture of learning.
Sources:
Wholesale Retail and Personal Services (2003) National Industry VET Plan 2003 – 2006
A Plan by the National WRAPS ITAB to Profile - Industry and Identify Skill Development Needs
