Gold Coast employers ready to put up their hands to take on first time job seekers

A LACK of experience and being “under qualified” is not a concern for a number of Gold Coast employers who are putting up their hand to take on young job hunters.

Flight Lieutenant Peter Fishpool, the senior military recruitment officer, is offering those looking for a job the chance to join the defence force. Photo: Glenn Hampson

A LACK of experience and being “under qualified” is not a concern for a number of Gold Coast employers who are putting up their hands to take on young job hunters.

Youth unemployment on the Gold Coast sits at 12 per cent – more than double the national average of a little over 5 per cent – making it difficult for first-time job seekers to make an impact.

The Gold Coast Bulletin helped launch a campaign to see 5000 jobs offered for first-time job seekers and that target was smashed in just four days.

The jobs on offer are not all in more traditional roles.

Defence Force Recruiting is trying to attract young people to the army, navy and air force and its offering is a little different.

Defence Force Recruiting senior military recruitment officer Flight Lieutenant Peter Fishpool said becoming a reservist could offer job hunters an edge in recruitment. While not a fulltime job, joining the reserves gave valuable training not available anywhere else.

“With reservists, the good thing is that you don’t have to move away,” he said.

“You get a wealth of experience from your training.”

There are reservists centres in Southport and Tweed Heads.

Fulltime positions are also available with the defence force but applicants would need to move from the Coast.

For more traditional roles, some of the Coast’s biggest employers said they were active in searching for first-time job seekers.

Gold Coast Airport CEO Chris Mills said the airport worked with universities and TAFE to match students with intern programs. They have six interns at present, including with commercial operations and planning and projects departments.

Star Entertainment Group managing director Geoff Hogg said Jupiters casino recognised the value of keen young job seekers.

“Taking an indirect or non-traditional route to your future career can be a great way to go,” he said.

“It’s a fantastic way to gain experience and see if a company is a good fit for you.”

Dreamworld general manager for people and culture Megan Reid said no difference was made between experienced job seekers and those looking for the first step.

“The positive of new graduates or first-time job seekers is their enthusiasm,” she said.

Do you have a job for a first-time job seeker?

Email 5000jobs@news. com.au and join our campaign.