Bass Coast hospitality businesses struggling to find workers
Job opportunities are up in Bass Coast, but hospitality business owners say they can’t find workers to fill the positions. Here’s why.
Bass Coast News
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Job opportunities are on the rise in Bass Coast, but hospitality business owners say they are struggling to find workers to cover the busy summer months.
Phillip Island’s Pino’s Trattoria usually look for more staff in the busy summer months but owner Romina Scarlato said they have seen less applicants this year.
“Generally we get an influx of working holiday resumes however with COVID-19 we are seeing less around so we have had to advertise,” Ms Trattoria said.
They are currently looking for a casual dish hand to work up to 25 hours a week.
“With Melbourne opening up recently it definitely has picked up, so there is a need [for staff],” Ms Scarlato said.
She said it’s always been a challenge to filled skilled roles in regional areas.
“Hopefully we might see an increase of people wanting to move to the island so we can attract skilled individuals to the region,” she said.
“These roles are harder to find the right candidate.”
The Grantville General owner Tracey Ellis has been struggling to find applicants for a front and back of house position and believes JobSeeker has contributed to her hardship.
“It’s very annoying knowing so many people are out of work,” she said.
JobSeeker payments decrease on January 1, 2021 but Ms Ellis said it will be “too late” for her store.
She is personally working longer hours to compensate for the lack of staff but continues to get “flack from customers”.
Newly re-elected Bass Coast Shire Mayor Brett Tessari said it was encouraging seeing job opportunities in shop windows.
“I think it’s fantastic there are people here,” he said.
“The fact that businesses are having to start hiring staff is brilliant.”
But Mayor Tessari said he is concerned that businesses are struggling to get applicants.
“I have spoken to a few of them,” he said.
“They would normally have European backpackers around and they are not around.”
Mayor Tessari said that there’s also an issue around JobKeeper and JobSeeker where “some of the younger kids want to stay at home.”
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