Shortage of Sonographers - AIHE ahead of the time

There has been a shortage of qualified Sonographers across Australis for some time. AIHE came across some statistics which beg to ask the question why there arent more applying for this qualification? Is it because of the pre-requisite of another qualification?
The following shows some insight.
The Department of Jobs and Small Business surveyed employers who had recently advertised for sonographers in the following areas: public hospitals, private hospitals, private practices and medical imaging clinics.

• In general, employers sought the following in applicants:
  • Tertiary qualifications with a Bachelor or Postgraduate Degree in Medical Sonography or qualifications deemed equivalent in the area of practice.
  • Across NSW, 22 per cent of vacancies were filled within the survey period compared with 50 per cent in June 2017.
  • Shortages were evident across all levels of seniority, employment types (part time and full time positions), modalities and specialisations.
  • Employers in metropolitan areas were able to fill 21 per cent of vacancies.
  • Employers in regional areas were able to fill 25 per cent of vacancies.
  • Unsuitable applicants
  • The reasons given by employers on why an applicant was considered unsuitable include:
    • Inadequate qualifications, such as trainees in their final year of completing a degree, or qualifications not relevant to the role.
    • Not possessing the required registrations, accreditations and licensing.
    • Insufficient work experience, for instance not having 2-4 years postgraduate scanning experience. AIHE support work place experience
    • A lack of specific modality and clinical experience in one specialist area or a range of specialisations, such as fertility sonography or stress ECG and cardiac sonography. AIHE support scanning practical activities
    • A lack of technical skills set.
    • Not possessing the communication skills sought by employers (based on poor reference checks).
    • Applicant’s work preferences not suitable with position requirements, for instance working part time hours.
    • Not the right cultural fit for the company.

Source Department Jobs and Small Business
​The methodology underpinning this research is outlined at Skill Shortage Research Methodology | Department of Jobs and Small Business - Document library, Australian Government