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“Some businesses that have managed to stay open have had to instead limit their trading hours.”<\/p>\n
With the festive season on the horizon, ‘staff wanted’ signs are proliferating at an unparalleled rate.<\/p>\n
“Thankfully we are starting to see a fair few working holiday makers from overseas coming through now in coastal towns but more are needed,” Ms Birley said.<\/p>\n
Last month, the Federal Government launched its employment strategy, “Working Future”, with the goal of ensuring every Australian job seeker can find employment.<\/p>\n
The report highlights how challenges are not limited to the tourism and hospitality sectors and pan from childcare to aged care, and almost every sector in-between.<\/p>\n
According to Ms Birley, staffing issues in regional areas are intricately tied to housing shortages, making it challenging for individuals to relocate for employment.<\/p>\n
To combat the problem, Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism ran the Jobs Bank initiative for the past two summers.<\/p>\n
Ms Birley said the app utilises map-based technology to pair candidates and employers.<\/p>\n
“We’re looking to relaunch the app this summer, with a bigger reach covering more regions.”<\/p>\n
Other businesses and organisations have been pioneering their own methods to house and attract workers.<\/p>\n
In Lorne, the ‘Adopt-a-worker’ scheme, introduced by the Lorne Business & Tourism Association, is being revived this summer to urge residents to offer accommodation to workers who can’t afford local rental prices.<\/p>\n
The owner of Lorne Hotel, Merivale, famously booked out the Grand Pacific Hotel for their staff.<\/p>\n
Other enterprises have secured campsites and homes for their entire teams.<\/p>\n
Ms Birley said it will take a creative and an integrated approach and thinking outside of the box to solve the staffing crisis.<\/p>\n
“We need to continue to promote the attractiveness of working in the sector,” Ms Birley said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
NATIONWIDE staff shortages, intensified by socio-economic issues such as rising living costs and housing deficits, are putting pressure on regional businesses. The White House restaurant in Barwon Heads, a beloved local establishment, has closed its doors, marking the latest in a series of business closures in the region. The renowned restaurant explained the reason for […]<\/p>\n