Victoria's work crisis: Thousands of hospitality jobs going begging, as millions spent to recruit swim staff

The work culture of Victoria’s battered hospitality industry must change, if the sector hopes to attract back the scores of workers who left for 9-5 jobs during the pandemic, an expert claims.

A hospitality industry chief has signalled the sector’s culture will have to change if workers are to be attracted back and Victorian restaurants able to thrive again.

Restaurant and Catering Australia boss Wes Lambert said the hospitality industry was at a tipping point after Victoria’s “stop-start” lockdowns and restrictions forced tens of thousands of workers out of jobs, with many choosing not to return post pandemic.

Scores had moved to well-paid industries where the hours were of a more family friendly 9-5 weekday nature, or they were allowed to work from home, he said.

“We lost tens-of-thousands of people out of the industry because of those yoyo and sawtooth type of stop-start rules,” Mr Lambert said.

“Now we’ve come out of the other side and vaccine mandates are ending, mask mandates are ending, tracking requirements are ending and lockdowns have ended, border closures have ended, but the industry still has that bad taste in its mouth.

“Ultimately, to solve this challenge, it’s going to take the entire industry to continue the cultural change that happened during the pandemic around work-life balance (and) around menu pricing that substantiates the increase in wages that has been caused by the workforce shortage.”

Ongoing government support and subsidies for education and training was vital, as it would allow small and medium hospitality businesses to ‘scale-up’ both existing and new staff, and help the industry rebuild, he said.

Mr Lambert added “everything but the kitchen sink” had to be thrown at repairing Australia’s global reputation as a great place to live work and study, so international students, backpackers and visitors returned.

Thousands of hospitality jobs are going begging as life returns to Melbourne. Picture: Paul Jeffers

New data shows more than 5400 hospitality and tourism-related jobs are up for grabs in Melbourne’s CBD alone, including scores for chefs and cooks, wait and bar staff and kitchen hands.

Another 768 city retail jobs need filling.

It comes as masks, QR codes and proof of vaccine requirements were scrapped at midnight on Friday.

Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp has called on job seekers to apply for roles at one of the city’s many hospitality and retail venues.

“Melbourne has some of the most famous hospitality and fashion scenes in the world, so we’re calling on anyone who wants a job in these ever-growing sectors to focus on the city and contact our traders directly or apply via job websites,” Ms Capp said.

Pinchy’s Lobster and Champagne Bar Manager Malcolm Singh said the industry needs “as many staff as possible right now” and is looking to hire experienced workers and those who need training.

“I would love to employ people who want to work weekdays and weekends, and who are looking to advance in the hospitality sector,” Mr Singh said.

“We’re hopeful that the removal of masks for hospitality workers will make these jobs even more appealing.

“There are so many opportunities out there that can take you to some of the best bars, restaurants and cafes in the city. All you need to do is apply.”

Jobs advertising website SEEK data revealed 5400 hospitality and tourism roles were available in the Melbourne CBD, with nearly half the positions advertised for waiters and chefs.

There are job advertisements for 1290 wait staff, 1293 chefs and cooks, 731 bar and beverage staff and 744 kitchen and sandwich hands.

SWIM SCHOOL TEACHER EMERGENCY

The state government and swim schools will spend millions recruiting aspiring swimming teachers, paying to train and giving them guaranteed work.

A $3.4 million deal between Jobs Victoria and the swimming industry put 280 new swimming teachers into jobs at swim schools in regional Victorian and suburban Melbourne.

The forced closure of public pools during much of the pandemic saw an exodus of swim teachers from the industry, and has seen thousands of kids waiting to learn to swim before next summer.

Australian Swimming Coaches and Teachers Association chief executive Brendon Ward said swim teachers made a real difference to their communities.

“The last few years have been difficult for the industry to keep staff employed, and the result is most swim schools are unable to meet the demand for learn to swim lessons,” he said.

Tandi Piper, 4, and Lucy Campbell, 4, learning to swim. Photographer: Liam Kidston

The program is also designed to help swim schools bounce back after the pandemic, and Mr Ward described it as a “win-win” for both employers and aspiring swim teachers.

Paul Sadler Swimland chief executive Mark Cecil said: “We really haven’t been able to recruit and train swim teachers over the last couple of years and there’s a lot of kids who need to learn how to swim.”

“Swim teaching is the most rewarding job you can do. Seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces every week when they come in for their swimming lesson and knowing you’re making a real difference to their lives.

“It’s an incredibly rewarding job that can lead to an amazing career.”

The training program includes nationally accredited Swim Australia Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety course, first-aid, and CPR.

The initiative has the financial backing of the Jobs Victoria Fund, which aims to create 10,000 steady jobs for Victorians.