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The 2016 report notes there will be a modest increase in the number of qualified positions over the next five years, but a decrease in the number of positions for staff without a library and information science qualification. The library and information sector remains an attractive proposition, with a below average unemployment rate and the option for part-time working. However, the workforce tends to be fairly static, with a relatively small number of vacancies occurring through staff turnover, people leaving the sector and the creation of new positions.

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This is the fifth annual ALIA LIS Education, Skills and Employment Trend Report. [The] intention is to provide students, educators, employees and employers with an understanding of the national library and information science (LIS) landscape, and the Association with the data we need to help inform our work as the sector's peak professional body. This 2018 report updates some of the statistics in the previous editions, using the latest figures from the Commonwealth Departments of Education and Jobs and Small Business. In some sections we have included data for Gallery and Museum Technicians, Archivists, Curators and Records Managers.

The 2018 report again notes that there will be modest growth in the number of qualified librarian positions over the next five years. In 2018 there were 10 higher education institutions offering 23 ALIA accredited courses, including Masters degrees, Bachelor degrees, and Graduate Diplomas. There were two universities, 14 TAFEs and one private RTO offering 17 ALIA accredited Diploma of Library and Information Services courses, making a total of 27 accredited institutions and 40 accredited courses. The number of LIS students enrolled in ALIA accredited higher education courses has dipped below 900 EFTSL (equivalent full-time student load) for the first time since 2011, and for VET students the figure has fallen below 600 FYTE (full year training equivalent) students. Are we producing enough graduates to meet demand? At this stage it would appear so, given employment demand and unemployment levels.

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In November 2019, the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) published 'The future of LIS education issues paper' [available in VOCEDplus at TD/TNC 141.589] to inform a sector-wide discussion about the current state of professional education: the needs going forward, and the challenges faced in trying to identify and deliver the best outcome. Following the publication of the issues paper, ALIA carried out a survey of members, which elicited 352 responses from students, professionals, educators and employers. ALIA sought submissions and feedback from important stakeholder groups including National and State Libraries Australia, heads of capital city public libraries, Library Technician educators, and university library senior teams. This activity was to have led to an industry Education Summit, which was delayed by the coronavirus [COVID-19] pandemic. This paper provides a summary of the themes which emerged during the consultation with the sector at the start of the year which has enabled work to start on three possible future scenarios. The aim is to present the scenarios to participants at the LIS Education Summit, which has been rescheduled to coincide with ALIA Information Online 2021, in February 2021.

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This report was the result of an action item which was generated by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) Future of the Profession project. ALIA Members wanted the Association to map and monitor the library and information science (LIS) workforce to identify the ebb and flow of job openings for new entrants. The report concludes that baby boomer retirees from the LIS sector are creating the job opportunities for graduates and other entrants to the LIS job market. Educators are in a challenging period, but this is not restricted to the LIS sector. Data shows that more employers are recruiting candidates without LIS qualification to provide frontline services. ALIA's aim is to encourage non-LIS professionals employed in the sector to study for LIS qualifications or at least gain a better understanding of the library environment by joining ALIA's proficiency recognition program. LIS workers had significantly higher educational qualifications compared with people employed in all occupations in Australia.

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This report was the result of an action item which was generated by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) Future of the Profession project. ALIA Members wanted the Association to map and monitor the library and information science (LIS) workforce to identify the ebb and flow of job openings for new entrants. This is the first year this report has been published and the aim is to produce it yearly. The 2014 report concludes that there is a positive outlook on employment prospects for library and information professionals over the next five years, but the job market will remain tight. However, there will be openings as baby boomer workers retire and these existing positions are filled. As the majority of library and information services are local, state, territory or federal government funded, they will be subject to the effects of government budget cuts. While there is some despondency in the sector about job prospects, figures from government and other sources suggest that this pessimism may be misplaced and the reality may be better than anticipated.

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