The National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) survey found that 80% of larger employers – those employing more than 100 people – reported having some or a lot of difficulty recruiting skilled employees in the past 12 months.

In 2005, 68% of larger employers reported difficulties in recruiting.

The NCVER survey found that 33% of larger employers have jobs that require specific skills or vocational qualifications due to legislative, regulatory or licensing requirements.

Strategies being used to meet hiring needs included taking on already skilled workers and providing extra training for existing staff.

The survey also found that 29% of these employers hire apprentices or trainees.

NCVER's Survey of Employer Use and Views of the VET System – the national vocational education and training system – was aimed at finding out how employers meet their skill needs as well as their views on the quality of training at TAFE and other training providers.

NCVER said satisfaction with such training remains high – 88% of employers said they were satisfied with nationally recognised training from private providers, while 85% were happy with TAFE training as a way to meet their skill needs.