The Sydney manufacturing business that is crying out for fulltime employees

AUSTRALIA’S biggest motorhome and caravan manufacturer, Avida, in Emu Plains, is crying out for new fulltime employees with the right attitude.

• Why there’s such a widespread skills shortage in Western Sydney

AUSTRALIA’S biggest motorhome and caravan manufacturer says it is crying out for 30 new fulltime employees to fill even the most basic of roles.

Avida managing director Ben Bimms said the Emu Plains company needs everything from metalworkers, cabinet makers, plumbers, electricians, upholsterers, CNC (computer numerical control) machinists to unskilled labourers.

“We will take anyone. We are willing to invest time and energy in people as long as they have the right attitude,” he said.

Avida’s CEO Ben Binns with leading hand Albert Almonte and trainee Liz Cunico / Picture: Justin Sanson

Mr Bimms said they had been looking for more than a month to fill positions to help them assemble motorhomes and caravans. Despite door knocking and dropping flyers off at high schools, TAFEs and universities, they had not been able to find any candidates.

“It has not been easy to find people and I can’t say exactly why that is, because we are right on the train line, we are only a five-minute walk from Emu Plains station, so transport is not an issue,” he said.

Trade Minister and Penrith MP Stuart Ayres said Avida was just one of many Western Sydney businesses struggling to fill roles.

Avida trainee Liz Cunico at their manufacturing plant in Emu Plains / Picture: Justin Sanson

“Living in Western Sydney, you don’t have to look far to find great companies crying out for employees to help build the next success story,” he said.

“Avida are Australia’s largest manufacturer of motorhomes and have been manufacturing RVs for more than 50 years, producing motorhomes, campervans and caravans, which are sold through a large network of dealers throughout Australia and New Zealand.

“Avida offer trainees a strong start in the manufacturing trade and I encourage anyone looking for a break to get in touch.”

CommSec chief economist Craig James said the new figures for August showed there was a lift in available jobs pointing to further job growth and lower employment with NSW experiencing a 0.6 per cent rise in job vacancies.

“Living in Western Sydney, you don’t have to look far to find great companies crying out for employees to help build the next success story,” says Avida’s CEO Ben Binns / Picture: Justin Sanson

“Job vacancies have risen in five of the last six months with vacancies having risen over the past year,” he said.

“In raw terms, there are more than 800 extra positions available for child carers than a year ago and more than 500 positions for registered nurses.

“But interestingly there has been a lift of construction/mining job vacancies compared with a year ago including civil engineering professionals, construction managers and forklift drivers.

A Department of Employment spokeswoman said the government was working hard to get people job-ready and could tailor services to each individual jobseeker through their jobactive providers and 1700 locations across Australia.

Job seekers can apply for a job at Avida by visiting avidarv.com.au or calling 02 4735 8116.

Originally published as The Sydney manufacturing business that is crying out for fulltime employees