Coffs Harbour’s most in-demand jobs of the future

A childcare worker, a beauty therapist and a teachers’ aide walk into a room - sparking a massive rush from prospective employers. Here’s why.

Vanessa Gentle, Kristy Smith and Kate Stary - early childhood teacher, teachers' aide and beauty therapist, Coffs Harbour. Picture: Chris Knight

New data reveals the most in-demand occupations in Coffs Harbour - with three positions gold-plated for finding work.

The roles of childcare worker, beauty therapist and teacher’s aide are the pick of the bunch for tomorrow’s jobs.

Locals are now encouraged to get ready for a jobs boom by equipping themselves with skills and training through TAFE NSW.

Childcare workers are expected to be the fastest-growing occupation over the next three years, climbing by 15.1 per cent.

Kate Stary works with a client at Beauty on the Promenade salon, Coffs Harbour. Picture: Chris Knight

Other jobs expected to see rapid growth locally are beauty therapists (11.8 per cent), teachers’ aides (12.5 per cent) and community workers (10.3 per cent).

Local MP Gurmesh Singh said Coffs Harbour residents could use this research to set themselves up for steady employment.

“The strongest workforce is one that’s continually learning, upskilling, and keeping up to date with new technologies,” Mr Singh said.

We caught up with some locals to see what it’s like working in one of the Big Three occupations.

Beauty therapist Kate Stary

Kate Stary. Picture: Chris Knight

Ms Stary has been in the industry for 19 years, and owns two salons, including Beauty on the Promenade near The Jetty.

“As a young girl I knew I wanted to travel the world,” Ms Stary said, who credits a chance meeting with a tutor at a TAFE open day for setting her on track.

“She convinced me to do hairdressing and beauty therapy. I’m so thankful for her even to this day.”

Ms Stary said the surprising part of her job was the need to acquire significant medical knowledge - which is critical for clients with diabetes and/or cancer.

In an industry that was locked down twice by Covid regulations, Ms Stary said there’s a chronic shortage of beauty therapists in Coffs Harbour.

“People have left and found work at bottle shops, Woolies and Bunnings. We’ve lost a whole generation (through the shutdowns),” she said.

Now as an employer of 10, Ms Stary said the rewards of working as a beauty therapist are many.

“I love being involved in clients’ lives - the births, deaths and marriages. It’s a close friendship,” she said.

She urged anyone considering a career as a beauty therapist to do their homework.

“Get work experience before you even start,” Ms Stary said.

“Try nail technology, spa therapy, massage therapy and laser therapy before you make any decisions.”

Childcare worker Vanessa Gentle

Ms Gentle has been in the industry for 20-plus years and is currently an early childhood teacher at Gumnut Cottage, Coffs Harbour.

Some academic hard yards set her up - a Diploma in Children’s Services, before she added a Bachelor of Education at university.

“My job is incredibly important for individuals and communities,” Ms Gentle said, pointing to research which shows the multiple life benefits of quality early education.

“You wear so many hats - it’s not just working with children as you’re also a sounding board for families.”

Ms Gentle said childcare workers need to connect with people from “all walks”.

“You have to be able to communicate with different people at different levels - it’s relationship building,” she said.

There is a “definite shortage” of childcare workers in Coffs Harbour.

“Trying to find a diverse range of educators is important,” Ms Gentle said.

“If more young people see this as an option then that is awesome.”

Teachers’ aide Kristy Smith

Ms Smith has been in the role for three years at Bishop Druitt College, Coffs Harbour, and works across the ages from Kinder to Year 12, and also runs the school’s playgroup.

The role of a teachers’ aide has morphed over the years, and today involves all support learning activities.

Ms Smith said duties can include running literacy and maths groups, through to tailored one-on-one support for high school students and disability provision.

When she started out on an initial casual work basis, she anticipated mostly in-class support work - only to find herself “wheelbarrowing” - lifting a child by the legs as they paddle forward with their arms - up a hallway as part of occupational therapy.

Ms Smith said a challenge can be helping a student “defiant” about doing their school work.

“It’s all about making the connections with the children to establish that relationship,” she said.

Another test for a teachers’ aide is to be across all of the work - as opposed to the traditional high school learning structure where each lesson is dedicated to a particular subject.

And her advice to anyone considering becoming a teacher’s aide?

“Just go for it. Maybe start off by volunteering at school to see if it’s right for you,” she said.