Jobs Mornington Peninsula: Urgent call for experienced hospo staff
Licensed venues across the region are begging for help to entice experienced staff off the beach and back behind the bar.
South East
Don't miss out on the headlines from South East . Followed categories will be added to My News.
A dire shortage of experienced staff is preventing Mornington Peninsula hospitality traders from capitalising on their busiest period in five years.
Operators say they are struggling to fill vacancies and as a result cannot increase their operating hours or serve hordes of people flooding the region post lockdown.
Jimmy Rum owner James McPherson said his Dromana bar and distillery could have up 120 customers under current COVID-19 restrictions.
But a lack of staff meant he can properly service about 40.
“I have spots for three or four good bar staff and up to six floor staff,” he said.
“And I can’t fill them.”
Mr McPherson said many experienced people had moved onto jobs in other industries that had continued operating during lockdown.
“They’ve discovered that its less stressful and labour intensive to work in a warehouse or nursery, they get their weekends back and they’re getting the same pay,” he said.
“Then there’s those on Jobseeker who are basically being paid to sit on the beach until February.”
Mornington trader Jill Henderson said hospitality businesses were also missing out on workers on holiday visas.
“There’s not a hospitality business in the region that isn’t looking for staff at the moment,” she said.
“I put on two last week but I need another three front of house people.”
Ms Henderson said advertised positions attracted mainly school age applicants who were inexperienced and not able to serve alcohol.
Without adequate staff businesses would not be able to leverage record numbers of customers.
“We need a big summer; not just to fill up the coffers for next winter but to recover from the lockdown,” she said.
“We’re also trying to look after the staff we do have so they don’t burn out from all the hours they are trying to cover as well as ensure our customers have a good experience.”
Australian Hotels Association Victoria chief executive Paddy O’Sullivan said rebounding from coronavirus was especially challenging for hospitality traders.
He said Victoria suffered a mass exodus of hospitality staff at the start of the second lockdown as experienced workers sought work interstate.
While the industry was grateful for the support provided by JobKeeper and Jobseeker it now needed help to encourage people to return to the industry.
“There needs to be greater incentives for those on Jobseeker to pursue casual, part time and full time employment in the hospitality sector,” Mr O’Sullivan said.
“A lot of work is being done both here in Victoria and nationally with the state and federal governments to find ways to address the shortages.”
lucy.callander@news.com.au
