The unexpected industry seeking nearly a dozen new workers urgently

An industry based in Toowoomba are desperately trying to fill jobs taking care of the region’s most vulnerable from the comfort of their own homes.

Home Instead Office Owner Donna Weis is excited to welcome new employees to their tight-knit team. Photo Megan Masters / The Chronicle

Toowoomba’s increasing unemployment numbers, bolstered by the pandemic and growing uncertainty in regards to the future of small businesses, has resulted in an influx of businesses opening positions for those desperate for work.

But there is one industry that is desperate to put people in jobs providing for the region’s most vulnerable people from their own houses.

A Toowoomba branch of Australia’s leading home care provider, Home Instead, is seeking more people to provide in-home care services to the city’s elderly population.

Home Instead Toowoomba Office owner Donna Weis said the organisation was looking for people with customer focused skills to fill several spots in their office.

“We have opportunities for 10 new CAREGivers to join our growing team and are particularly looking for CAREGivers in Crows Nest and the South-West area in addition to Toowoomba,” she said.

“We’d love to see people who have previously worked in hospitality, tourism or retail apply to become CAREGivers.

“We know they already have really wonderful transferable skills that are perfect for the in-home care industry.”

In the wake of the pandemic and the damning results of the Royal Commission into aged care, data suggests the elderly population prefer to be cared for at home as opposed to being in an aged care facility.

Home Instead Toowoomba staff Sara Ward, Kate Perks and owner Donna Weis.

One person who has taken advantage of the influx in jobs is Zelda Collocott.

She joined Home Instead as a CAREGiver in November 2020, after being retrenched from her job with a food services company at the start of the pandemic.

“I don’t ‘do things’ for people, I assist them,” she said.

“You’re empowering them.

“It’s so rewarding to come home every evening and know that you’ve really made a difference to another person’s life.”

For more information visit: www.homeinstead.com.au.