Known for its exclusive properties, Brighton is one of the premier coastal suburbs in Melbourne’s region. Over the last few decades, employment patterns in Brighton have greatly changed. Brighton, once renowned for its tree-lined streets, elite schools, and thriving local culture, presents a picture of change across employment. Now, its employment pattern mirrors that of Melbourne, driven by technology, education, and service-based businesses. This article outlines broad trends that will define employment in the future.
In 2021, there existed more job vacancies in Brighton, some 3823 of those employed reported as having been in the Transport, Postal, and Warehousing sectors which stood as an increment of 185 jobs in the overall sectors of employment.
Impact of an Educated Workforce on the Economy
Brighton's economy has become more knowledge and service-related, with high-end professional services including finance, law, and consulting driving employment growth over the past 20 years. As professionals have sought work-life balance and quality living environments, the suburb has become home to many people working in the corporate sector. Companies are keen on Brighton for it is close to Melbourne's Central Business District, whereby employees can have their quiet suburbs with easy commuting facilities to the heart of the city.
Brighton is very attractive to small-to-medium enterprises and start-ups that have interests in technology. Most software development, digital marketing, and app design businesses mushroom around this city locally and internationally, due to Brighton's suburbia and energetic business community, making it attractive to entrepreneurs and employees alike.
A Shift towards Remote and Hybrid Work
A defining employment trend in Brighton and more broadly in Melbourne has been the growth of remote and hybrid working arrangements. With the global COVID-19 pandemic having forever changed the way people work, many businesses in Brighton have taken up flexible working hours and remote work. This has allowed employees to remain in their professional roles while spending more time at home or nearby, taking in the beautiful beaches and parks that Brighton is known for.
Remote work is highly sought after in marketing, tech, administration, and education due to its convenience and relaxed lifestyle. Brighton, being a residential suburb with great amenities, has drawn many post-pandemic residents due to its proximity to the city, access to schools, and other local recreational activities.
Hybrid working arrangements are efficient in retaining and maintaining satisfactory levels of employees for a business. Workers now self-regulate their schedules as this has led to great outputs in most industries. Challenges in this shift include enhanced communication tools, new tactics of management, and improved security of technology infrastructure.
Healthcare Employment Opportunities
Health and social care is another sector in Brighton that had very high employment growth over the last couple of years. Brighton's population is aging, and demand for personal care services generally increases with age, so job opportunities in healthcare are growing steadily. These include aged care service providers, mental health-related service providers, and a growing demand for physical therapists, home care assistants, and others.
With a healthy society on the rise, so is the need for health and wellness professionals. The Brighton community has always given importance to personal well-being and this sector has contributed the most to the local economy. The numerous gyms, yoga studios, wellness retreats, and personal trainers have emerged here and brought an entirely new class of employment opportunities. Healthcare workers within Brighton will require region-specific specialization and often certifications. Thus, local institutions offering vocational training for healthcare roles have also recorded an increase in enrollment of new generations to serve within these high-demand fields.
Retail and Hospitality Industries
Brighton's retail and hospitality sectors have remained very stable in recent years, hosting many large retail chains as well as boutique stores. Fashion, home goods, and specialty stores cater to the demand of locals with a focus on good service and quality products. Thus, the potential contains a greater number of jobs in the field of skilled retail staff, customer service, inventory management, and merchandising.
In Brighton hospitality is one of the primary sectors they rely on since cafes, restaurants, and bars dominate employment. Meals in restaurants are being prepared to be gourmet, and special brewed coffees and other products are being served along with qualified chefs, quality waitstaff, and baristas. This is because the job vacancies for skilled chefs and hospitality managers rise as the local dining experience becomes more elaborate. Today Brighton boasts Michelin-star caliber restaurants and cafes, while the hospitality and retail sectors are likely to remain central sources of employment.
Role of Police Checks in Employment
Many jobs in Brighton, especially those involving working with vulnerable populations or handling sensitive information, require police checks. In Victoria, a police check is common when hiring for health, education, retail, and security industries. This means the individual does not have any criminal record that could make them ineligible for the job or position of trust or responsibility.
For instance, a candidate seeking employment in aged care or childcare may be called upon to provide a police check. Employers in those industries are very cautious regarding the trustworthiness and ability of their employees to provide safe environments for the vulnerable clients they serve. For instance, jobs in retail or hospitality that handle a lot of money or work with sensitive customer information will also require a police check.
In Victoria, applying for a police check is very easy, and in Brighton, many employers ask applicants to produce this evidence during the application process. Police checks are not only an important factor in securing public safety but also a way for employers to enhance their reputation by recruiting people with no criminal record. A police check in Victoria on national criminal history will be done through ANCC.
Overseas criminal history checks will be required if an applicant has resided as an adult in a country other than Australia for a cumulative period of 12 months or more, from 18 years of age. During the 10 years, you will need to provide an overseas criminal history check from the resident country with your application for Provisional Registration.
Employment Trend in the Education Sector
Prestigious education institutions in Brighton have contributed to progressing the education sector with various teaching positions available, mainly in private schools and tutoring services. The rich population guarantees a steady demand for quality education, thereby generating employment opportunities for teachers, administrators, and support staff.
Brighton is a well-known suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, with many educational institutions primary, and secondary options for example:
- Brighton Grammar School
- Haileybury Brighton
- Leonard's College
- The King David School
- Brighton Secondary College
- Michael’s Grammar School
- Elwood College
- Wesley College (Brighton Campus)
- The International School of Melbourne
- Monash University
- Swinburne University of Technology
- Academy of Design Australia
- Brighton Bay Learning Centre
Furthermore, there is a high demand for expertise in construction, plumbing, electricity, and maintenance due to increased investment in posh residential apartments in Brighton.
These employment trends are representative of the nature of change occurring across Melbourne, including an increased focus on knowledge-based work, work-from-home opportunities, and growth within the healthcare and hospitality industries.
Melbourne suburb has high-quality living standards, good infrastructure facilities, and accessibility to business and employment. Brighton will continue to provide different employment opportunities for Melbourne’s population and be actively involved in the employment business. Focusing on flexibility, increasing sustainability, and providing more specialized services for the working population, Brighton's employment outlook appears promising.