Women of the West Newsletter - July 2024
July 1, 2024

Market Update: Economy and Recruitment/Employment Trends

Welcome to our latest market update! Grab a coffee, get comfy, and let's dive into the latest trends and insights in the recruitment world.


Job Ads Take a Dip 

Our friends at ANZ and Indeed have crunched the numbers, and here's the scoop: job ads declined by 2.2% in June. Yep, you read that right! The recruitment rollercoaster is on a bit of a downhill ride, with a 7.1% drop in job ads over the last three months, compared to a 3% dip in the first quarter. There is also a Year-on-Year Decline: We're down 17.6% from last year.

It's a sign of the times, but there's still plenty to be optimistic about. 

  • Above Pre-COVID Levels: Despite the dip, we're still 17.8% above the 2019 average.

Madeline Dunk, ANZ’s economist, shares that much of the labour market adjustment has been through hours worked rather than job cuts. The hours-based underutilisation rate has crept up to 5.3% in Q2 2024 from its low of 4.5% in Q4 2022. So, while average hours per person are back to the long-run trend, expect employment growth to slow a bit. 


Regional Insights: Victoria and WA vs. NSW and Queensland

The job ad decline hit Victoria and WA the hardest, overshadowing some modest gains in NSW and Queensland. Indeed’s senior economist, Callam Pickering, highlighted that NSW and Victoria contributed to 85% of the annual decline in job ads. Despite this, some regions are proving to be more resilient.
 

  • Occupational Impact: The drop in job ads was significantly due to lower demand for cleaners, tradies, and food service workers. Over the past year, 86% of occupational categories have seen a decline in job ads. 



Looking Ahead

So, what's next? The pace of employment growth may slow, but the resilience of the job market, particularly in regions like NSW and Queensland, offers a silver lining. Whether you're hiring or seeking new opportunities, staying informed and adaptable is key.


Event Wrap-Up: July Breakfast

Our July Breakfast event, in partnership with Diamond Women, was a huge success! We welcomed Jen Gurry, who enlightened us about the incredible work Diamond Women is doing to support women with unplanned pregnancies. Diamond Women offers a wide range of services including information on options, pregnancy support, counselling, advocacy, material assistance, mentorship, and parenting programs. With 1 in 5 expecting mums experiencing symptoms of perinatal anxiety and depression, Diamond Women is committed to providing high-quality support. 

On the morning of our breakfast, we collected donations of baby goods to help support this fantastic cause. Your generosity was truly appreciated.
Our guest speaker, 
Ron Woods, captivated us with his storytelling. Some key takeaways from Ron’s talk were: 

"Leaders, prioritise your open communication, your empathy, and your transparency. If you can foster a culture of connection where every individual feels valued and heard, the sense of belonging leads to higher morale, lower turnover rates, and ultimately better business outcomes." 

"P=C" (if you know you know) 

"Collaboration across industry sectors and borders is essential for innovation and growth."

"People might forget what you said, people might forget what you did, but people will always remember how you made them feel." 


Ron’s insights into fostering positive relationships and driving change within diverse environments, coupled with his captivating storytelling, inspired and empowered us all.

A collage of photos of people sitting at tables in a restaurant.

Our lucky door prize was announced on our socials if you missed it you can catch it here.

Congrats to the lucky winner Karlina from Eden Brae Homes, we hope you enjoy your goodies. 

A woman is sitting at a table holding a book.

Member in the Spotlight 


Name: 
Jackie Bet 

Assistant Regional Credit Manager – Emerging Markets 

Cloud Lead, Cash Application – HRC 

A woman in a green shirt is smiling in front of a tree.

What have you enjoyed about the Women of the West events? 

The people and how inclusive everyone is. The topics are all relatable to all in the room which is very prevalent on everyone’s face whilst listening. Everyone is very engaged and can relate on some why or another which I believe is the result of a successful event. 

 

What has been your favourite topic to date? 

10 Seconds of Courage with Nadine Champion in September 2023. The talk of courage and never giving up, fighting for what you believe in really hit home. This inspired me to continue to show that I take my leadership seriously, along with being accountable for my team and what I believe in. Having Jay Allen speak was extremely inspirational, proving that no matter what life throws at you, you can achieve anything. 

 

Share your biggest achievement either professional or personal in the last 12 months. 

I have been asked to join the Global Process Owner Team – This is the first time they have offered a position outside the America’s team. I have to pinch myself; I grew up on 800 acres between Lithgow and Bathurst – how did this happen to me! 

 

What are your goals for the year ahead? 

Continue to grow within my own self, so I can empower and continue to mentor my team whilst inspiring them to be the best versions of themselves. To continue my growth within the Global Credit and Collections Treasury team, and to deliver the required automation tools to remove repetitive nonvalue add tasks across the company, one entity at a time. 

 

What is one topic/theme you would like to see covered in upcoming events? 

How not to lose yourself while climbing the corporate ladder. 

How to move on from a company/role with confidence. 


Health Focus: Embracing Dry July

With it being Dry July, it is the perfect time to reflect on our alcohol intake and consider the benefits of reducing consumption. Whether for health reasons, personal goals, or simply a new challenge, cutting back on alcohol can lead to improved well-being, better sleep, and more energy. Which leads me to an exciting announcement…. Our Upcoming Event: September Networking with Smug AF 

 

Mark your calendars for our next event on September 26th in Parramatta. We're partnering with the non-alcoholic cocktail brand Smug AF to bring you a refreshing and unique networking experience. More details will follow soon, so stay tuned for updates and get ready to sip on some delicious, alcohol-free cocktails while connecting with like-minded professionals.


Keryn Drew
Associate Directo
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Tune into our socials and join our Women of the West LinkedIn group to stay up to date with the latest news and announcements!

By Urszula Lusk March 27, 2025
In this reflective article, we explore the challenges of unapologetically owning your achievements, overcoming self-doubt, and silencing the inner critic. Learn how shifting focus to self-belief and meaningful impact can help you rise above negativity and keep shining—without apology.
Elements Recruitment team casually talking with each other.
By Urszula Lusk March 13, 2025
We’re excited to share with you an announcement that the Veritas NSW business has rebranded to Elements Recruitment. This change isn’t just about a new name; it’s a reflection of our evolution and commitment to staying at the forefront in a constantly shifting industry. We wanted our brand to align with who we are today while embracing the innovation that has become a core part of our journey. A Journey of Growth and Transformation When we launched Veritas Recruitment 15 years ago, our focus, approach, and identity were worlds apart from where they sit now. Over the years, we have honed our expertise, embraced technology & innovation, and actively embraced our industry’s transformation. Our new name, brand, colours and logo represents this journey and align with the values that we uphold today. A modern, strategic, and deeply connected approach to the elements of recruitment, talent management, and career development. Independence and Growth We’re excited to take full ownership of our journey as a business centered by its geography in Western Sydney. Rebranding to Elements Recruitment allows us to build an identity which is uniquely ours and reflects the strength, agility and expertise we bring to the recruitment space. Change enables us to take full control of our brand, messaging and strategic direction in a way which suits where and who we are. We have the freedom to innovate, automate and create new and bespoke solutions whilst maintaining the human eye which sets us apart. What This Means for Our Clients and Partners While our name and visual identity have changed in NSW our partnership with the Veritas Melbourne teams remains strong. Both Victorian offices will continue to operate under the Veritas Brand and our 3 offices will continue to operate with a national presence. We will continue sharing expertise and resources, learning from each other and ensuring seamless collaboration and continuity for our candidates and clients. From an operational standpoint, there will be no disruption, our ABN and ACN remain the same. Why Elements? It Reflects Our Values Recruitment is more than just filling roles—it’s about bringing together the right elements to help careers, teams and businesses thrive. Our new name represents the critical role we play in shaping long-term success through strategic recruitment and selection. Inspired by Nature and Growth Much like the natural elements work in harmony to create balance, so do the key aspects of our work. Careers flourish through a mix of progress, endurance, evolution, and sustainability and these are values we integrate into every partnership. It Represents the Stages of Careers and Recruitment Every career and recruitment process consists of distinct elements—learning, growth, challenge, and success. In recruitment, these elements manifest through strategy, search, selection, and placement. Our role is to bring them together to create meaningful connections and drive change. A Name That Evolves with You Just as businesses and careers continue to evolve, Elements Recruitment represents our commitment to adaptability, innovation, and staying ahead in the ever-changing world of work. Why a Circle? A rebrand goes beyond a name, it’s a visual identity that represents our ethos. Our new logo, an unbroken loop, symbolises wholeness, unity, and balance, reflecting the continuous flow of change in careers and business. This shape, paired with our rich green colour palette, is inspired by nature—a nod to our personal passion for the mountains, oceans and outdoors and the elements that fuel our mindset and approach to work. A circle also represents completion and harmony, much like the recruitment process, where every step - skills, culture, aspirations, and strategy needs to align seamlessly for long-term success. A circle is fluid and infinite, mirroring the ever-evolving nature of businesses, careers, and professional growth. It symbolises the connections we create and the ongoing support provided to clients, candidates and each other during our journeys. We continue to remain dedicated to creating lasting connections, delivering innovative solutions, and providing unwavering support to both clients and candidates as they navigate their careers. We’re excited for this new chapter and look forward to continuing our journey with you and being able to nurture every element of your career, team, business and growth.
A man is pressing a button on a virtual screen.
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Thinking about a new career? Or simply looking to plan out your professional development and keep your skills sharp for an evolving job marketplace?