$8 million boost to recruit and train hospitality staff
WA puts best foot forward with targeted recruitment campaign
Significant funding allocated towards WA’s current ‘Discover the Other Side’ recruitment campaign and the Tourism Workforce Development Program (TWDP) is expected to play a major role in addressing the dire labour shortages plaguing the state’s hotels and hospitality businesses.
Australian Hotel Association (WA) CEO, Bradley Woods said the $8 million allocated towards both campaigns will be warmly welcomed by hoteliers, publicans and restaurateurs across the state.
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Addressing labour shortages, he said, is currently the number one issue for those running hotels and hospitality venues, so it is encouraging to see the WA Government allocating resources that match the scale of the problem.
“As the world emerges from COVID-19, the global competition for skilled and unskilled workers is fierce, so it is critical that WA puts its best foot forward through a targeted recruitment campaign.
“The westernaustralia.jobs portal, a joint initiative between Tourism WA and the AHA(WA), will be promoted to interstate and New Zealand workers, showcasing the incredible career opportunities available in WA’s hotels, bars, pubs, taverns, restaurants, and tourism businesses.
“Complementing the recruitment campaign is substantial funding towards short-term training programs that will equip local residents as well as interstate and international arrivals with work-ready hospitality skills.”
Mr Woods said hospitality and tourism employers have long advocated for greater investment in fundamental and practical skills such as barista courses, RSA training and customer service, all of which will be delivered as part of the announcement.
Commenting on the changes to WA’s migration program settings, which are intended to make it easier for skilled workers to migrate to the state and take up opportunities in the hotel and hospitality industry, Mr Woods said addressing the shortage of skilled and unskilled workers in WA’s hospitality industry will take time.
“But we applaud the actions taken by the McGowan Government which shows a strong commitment to tangible action,” he said.
Mike Parker-Brown is a UK-trained and qualified journalist and an award-winning travel communicator with more than 30 years experience.
Since 2002, Mike has worked as a freelance writer and PR consultant providing his services to major organisations in Australia and internationally in the tourism, aviation, hospitality, recruitment and export marketing sectors.
