A major skills shortage created by the Sunshine Coasts construction and tourism booms has sparked the inaugural Noosa Jobs Day, Wednesday October 12.
Leading job agencies, East Coast Apprenticeships (ECA) and BUSY At Work, will doorknock key growth areas between Noosa, Peregian Beach and Cooroy to track down apprenticeship and traineeship opportunities for young people.
“Hiring new staff can be time consuming for busy employers, who right now are experiencing growth in their business and demand for their services,” said ECA CEO Alan Sparks.
“Once we establish exactly where vacancies are, well focus our energies on ensuring those opportunities are offered as a priority to motivated Sunshine Coast youth.”
Sunshine Coast Council recently announced building approvals had hit a seven year high of $1.29 billion during 2015-2016, while Tourism Research Australia figures show the Coast is also enjoying a spike in international tourists who are staying longer and spending more.
“There’s a range of skills shortages right now on the Sunshine Coast and Apprenticeships offer employers a great means of tackling these whilst helping their businesses grow,” said BUSY At Work CEO Paul Miles.
“We’re delighted to be working with East Coast again and we’d encourage employers to get involved in the jobs day and ask us how they can find the right people now.”
Mooloolabas De Ja Vu Café & Bar is just one of the local venues in need of more staff.
“Were serving, on average, 550 meals a day which is 27% up on last year,” said Café Owner Kishan Wattegedara.”Last year we had 24 staff, this year we have 32.”
Skills shortages identified by ECA and BUSY At Work include trade and hospitality areas such as painting, tiling, plastering, bricklaying and commercial cookery.
Target industries include construction, business administration and hospitality. Similar campaigns have been held in Bundaberg and Ipswich with hundreds of job opportunities identified in both regions.
“Now is a great time to give a young person a start in your business,” Mr Sparks said.”There are talented young people on the Sunshine Coast ready to work hard in new jobs.”
“Noosa Jobs Day is about identifying those jobs and supporting employers to take on Sunshine Coast people for Sunshine Coast jobs.”
Interested businesses and local youth can register in advance by emailing busy@busyatwork.com.au or sunshinecoast@ectraining.com.au or by calling 132879 or 54794711.
