FNQ DAMA creates meeting place for employers and job seekers

A key, homegrown project is building links between migrant workers and employers, helping key Far North industries recover post-Covid. Find out how it’s helping local businesses in a major way.

The Cairns Chamber of Commerce is building links between migrant workers and employers, helping key Far North industries recover post-Covid.

The latest action launched by the Chamber of Commerce to assist with the current labour crisis in the region is the FNQ Designated Area Migration Agreement Jobs Forum operated through Facebook to link migrant workers with full time employers desperately in need of staff.

The FNQ DAMA is a skilled migration program that is tailored to the needs of the Far North by targeting in-need skills and workers.

Matt Turner, owner of L’Unico restaurant, said the DAMA program had been a ‘Godsend’ after working 70-100 hour weeks trying to keep his business operating to the high standards of holiday makers through and coming out of the pandemic.

Shinae West and Dayna Ashe enjoy a couple of delicious pizzas for lunch at Lunico restaurant at Trinity Beach. Picture: Brendan Radke

“DAMA cracked the door open, it has been a tremendous success for us,” Mr Turner said.

“It’s been beyond horrific trying to get staff since about six months into the pandemic and it’s helped us find a more permanent solution.

“We had so much trouble finding applicants, while looking for an experienced role we would be getting two to five applicants without the requested experience and needed to hire them and train them up.”

Mr Turner said he was going home in tears after working 70 to 100 hour weeks trying to keep the restaurant running.

“It got to the point were we were closing nights just because we didn't have the staff to provide even a base level of service,” he said.

Mr Turner said DAMA, by providing a stable, core workforce, has allowed the business to recover as well as to present opportunities for those who wish to really make a go of their new work environment and make a home here in Australia.

“There is definitely a lot of economic benefit now because we don't have to retrain our core staff,” he said

“We have had applicants from the Gold Coast, Melbourne and elsewhere come up for trials and many of our workers are looking to continue working with us even after they have gained residency and that means a lot to us.

“We take our responsibility of sponsoring these workers very seriously and look at what these people bring to the community as a whole as well as to us as their employer.”

What makes the FNQ DAMA different from other pathways is its added flexibility.

Cairns Chamber of Commerce migration manager Geoff Heath, CEO Patricia O'Neil, Department of Home Affairs' Margaret Martin and VETASSESS quality assessment manager Jenna Wong at a public forum for migration agents and businesses about the FNQ Designated Area Migration Agreement. PICTURE: ALICIA NALLY

The agreement defines clearer visa options and permanent visa pathways.

It has a designated list of occupations and concessions designed for the region’s needs with a greater range of occupations missing from standard lists.

The list also includes semi-skilled as well as skilled occupations and is tailored as demand in industries shifts and changes.

Cairns Chamber of Commerce migration manager for DAMA and RCB, Geoff Heath, said the jobs forum grew out of emails requesting assistance finding staff or linking job seekers with employers.

“The DAMA is not an employment agency as it is an impartial agreement, but what we could do was facilitate the Facebook jobs forum in order to link up participating businesses with those looking for work from all around Australia,” Mr Heath said.

“It allows us to pre-screen those who gain access to the forum to ensure the best outcomes for businesses and job seekers alike.

“The jobs board has been active for three months and there has already been great pick-up from businesses and employees.”

Mr Heath also said the DAMA aimed at addressing the issue of core full time staff shortages.

“What the FNQ DAMA does is allow employers to find the full time staff that can form the base of their workforce while they supplement with casual workers who may be looking for shorter term work,” Mr Heath said.

“These are the types of workers who are in short supply.

And the program is only growing as more businesses catch word.

“Take-up is growing as awareness spreads and it covers the full scope of businesses from big national companies to small and medium sized businesses and its proving beneficial for business who were on the verge of closing due to lack of staff,” he said.

To access a FNQ DAMA Labour Agreement, employers must first be endorsed by the Cairns Chamber of Commerce as the Designated Area Representative (DAR).

Originally published as FNQ DAMA creates meeting place for employers and job seekers