Visitor economy expo has jobs on offer

THE visitor economy in the Geelong region continues to call out for more workers, and several organisations are teaming up to present a job expo with what has been described as “a ground-breaking new format”.

Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine (TGGB), Workforce Australia Local Jobs Barwon, The Gordon TAGE, and Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism are presenting the event as part of the ongoing efforts to reduce the labour shortages in the hospitality and tourism sectors following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Job seekers at all stages of their career journey are invited to the Visitor Economy Jobs Expo, to be held next month, to meet and engage in short interviews with prospective visitor economy employers actively seeking fresh talent.

“This isn’t your everyday jobs expo. Every exhibitor in attendance has been vetted to ensure they have vacant opportunities looking to be filled,” Workforce Australia Local Jobs Barwon employment facilitator Tracey Jeffery said.

“Attendees will be exposed to a range of possible training pathways toward fulfilling careers in the visitor economy, and The Gordon’s Skills and Jobs Centre will be on hand to assist with resume writing, interview tips and career advice.

“Whether you’re starting out or looking to advance your career, the visitor economy has something for everyone.”

Recent figures released by TGGB show positive signs of recovery after the COVID-10 pandemic, with the region achieving a record $1.6 billion in visitor spending, eclipsing the initial $1.1 billion projected by 2025.

“It’s predicted our industry will grow by a further $1 billion in annual tourism spend over the next 10 years,” TGGB executive director Tracy Carter said.

“The partnership we have struck with Workforce Australia Local Jobs Barwon forms part of our strategy to nurture and grow local talent to get ahead of the demand.”

The total number of tourism workers needed in the region by 2032 is between 6,600 and 8,450, according to a study conducted by TGGB in partnership with urban planning firm Urbis.Without strategic intervention, the local workforce is estimated to grow to only 5,675 – nearly 1,000 workers short of the target.

TGGB has been tracking staffing levels in the visitor economy closely for some time.

Its research found direct spending in the year to June 2022 returned to $1.1 billion – 100 per cent of the total – for the year to March 2020 but the total number of jobs at the same time was an estimated 3,250 – only 43 per cent of the 7,551 jobs before the pandemic.

The Visitor Economy Jobs Expo will be held at the Culinary Collective at The Gordon TAFE’s Geelong City Campus (enter via Little Malop Street) on October 10 from 1-5pm.

For more information on the jobs expo or to register, head to barwonregionlocaljobs.org.au/register-now-for-the-visitor-economy-jobs-expo