Papua New Guinea (PNG) has recently witnessed a surge in the number of job applicants relative to available job positions in the public sector, and especially the recent PNG Police recruitment drive.
The country’s recent police recruitment drive is a clear indication of the challenges facing job seekers in PNG, as it received a staggering 48,772 applications for only 560 available positions.
PNG Job Market
According to reports from PNG Insight Blog and PNG Loop, the national police recruitment drive attracted an overwhelming number of applicants, who were seeking job opportunities in the country’s law enforcement sector.
Despite a large number of applications, only 13,000 applicants were shortlisted for further consideration. This indicates that the competition for jobs in PNG is becoming increasingly fierce.
The police recruitment drive is not the only sector that has experienced such high numbers of job applicants. The country’s economic sector is also facing similar challenges.
Many recent economics graduates are finding it difficult to secure jobs in their field, which is indicative of the broader employment situation in the country. This underscores the need for the government and private sector to work together to create more job opportunities in PNG.
Create more job opportunities
The high number of job applicants in PNG can be attributed to a number of factors. Especially, the rapidly growing population, limited job opportunities, and a lack of economic diversification.
The country’s economy is heavily reliant on extractive industries, such as logging, mining and oil and gas, which are capital-intensive and employ only a limited number of people.
This means that there are few job opportunities available for the majority of the population.
Create a sustainable PNG Job Market
To address these challenges, the government needs to focus on creating more jobs in sectors outside of the extractive industries.
This can be achieved through investing in agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing which are sustainable. These sectors have the potential. They can create sustainable jobs for the local population, especially in rural areas where the majority of people live.
Prioritise education and skills development
The government needs to prioritize investment in education and skills development. This means providing access to quality education and vocational training. Equip young people with the skills they need to succeed in a rapidly changing economy.
The high number of job applicants in the recent police recruitment drive is indicative of employment challenges in PNG.
PNG needs to focus on creating more job opportunities in sectors outside of the extractive industries. The country needs to invest in education and skills development to boost the local workforce
By doing so, the country can be a more inclusive and sustainable economy that benefits all of its citizens.
