Campaign kicks off to address NT’s hospitality worker shortage

THE Northern Territory’s hospitality industry faces a massive staffing shortage and has launched a new recruitment campaign to attract southern workers

• The NT News looks back at a whirlwind year of COVID-19
• Clinics contacted by the NT News have reported a steady flow of calls from the public wanting to get the vaccine

THE Northern Territory’s hospitality industry faces a massive staffing shortage and has launched a new recruitment campaign to attract southern workers.

It comes as today marks one year since Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced Australia would be plunged into lockdown due to COVID-19, closing all places like pubs, clubs, beauty salons, indoor sporting venues and churches.

Restaurants and cafes were only allowed to offer takeaway services under the drastic restrictions, which were lifted in the NT during May.

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Hospitality NT chief executive Alex Bruce said the year had been an “absolute roller coaster” for hospitality venues across the Territory.

Snapper Rocks owner David Robinson said an exodus of backpacker had made filling jobs harder. Pictured is restaurant manager Angi Troy. Picture Glenn Campbell

“We have seen a lot of innovation and hard work from our businesses and are incredibly appreciative of all the hard work from all those involved in keeping us safe,” he said.

“We have been blown away by the support of our great local customers and feel humbled to be part of our great community.”

One year on, Mr Bruce said hospitality businesses across the NT were facing serious staff shortages, with the issue even worse in rural and remote areas.

“The majority of our business is recruiting and need more workers as we ramp up to hopefully a busy dry season,” he said.

“It’s a nice problem to have because it shows businesses are doing well.

“Very different to 12 months ago, before JobKeeper where the surplus workforce was let go, and we were trying to get them fruit picking jobs.”

Hospitality NT is getting ready to kick off an interstate and local recruitment campaign asking Territorians to think about joining the industry for a second job and extra cash.

“We want you — we’ll be targeting NSW, VIC, SA especially as they enter miserable winter months,” Mr Bruce said.

“In addition to the ‘Holiday Here This Year’ Tourism Australia message, we are encouraging a Work Here This Year message.”

Chamber of Commerce NT chief executive Greg Ireland said it was encouraging to see businesses ramping up for the upcoming dry season.

But he also noted some businesses still haven’t fully recovered from COVID-19 restrictions, especially those working in exports and reliant on international tourism.

“The lockdown certainly came as a shock to many Territory businesses, especially those who were reliant on customer-facing experiences,” he said.

“I think we were fortunate we didn’t have the same exposure to the virus the other states experienced, and we got out of lockdown earlier than most which was a saving grace for Territory businesses.”

Chief Minister Michael Gunner said Territorians brought their best throughout the pandemic.

“I have never been prouder of Territorians – as the world got hit by a pandemic, and the forecasts were grim, we did not buckle but rose to the challenge,” he said.