Tourism groups aim to get schoolies to stay in region for summer work

Tourism groups will attempt to lure teenagers celebrating schoolies back to the region to work over summer as businesses are hit hard by staff shortages.

Tourism groups will attempt to lure teenagers celebrating schoolies back to the region to work over summer as businesses are hit hard by staff shortages.

More than 1000 teens are set to descend on Lorne from late November to celebrate finishing high school.

Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism and Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine have engaged a recruitment company for the Tourism Jobs Bank program, which will be targeting school leavers.

Liz Price, general manager at Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism, said there were huge staff shortages across the region’s tourism industry.

The busy summer streets of Lorne. Picture: Alison Wynd

Shortages were hitting occupations including baristas and waiters, bartenders, beauty therapists, chefs and cleaners.

The staff shortage meant businesses were reducing hours and offerings, she said.

“The extended lockdowns have meant we’ve lost a lot of people from the sector,” Ms Price said.

Border closures and a lack of backpackers and international students had contributed to the situation, she said.

“Victoria has had longer restrictions so some backpackers have gone north,” she said.

Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine executive director Brett Ince said the tourism jobs program was backed by a state government grant.

“The whole idea is to encourage school leavers to come back over the summer for work,” Mr Ince said.

The busy summer streets of Lorne. Picture: Alison Wynd

He said there was an opportunity to recruit school leavers who could gain skills which could be important for gap years or set to them up for careers in hospitality.

“It’s the first time this has happened in this way, it’s really a case study for the state, which is why the state government has backed this,” Mr Ince said.

Schoolies.com chief executive Matt Lloyd said just over 1000 students had booked their schoolies holiday with the company at Lorne from November 27 to December 4.

“All accommodation providers and hospitality venues in Lorne have Covid-safe plans in place,” Mr Lloyd said.

Schoolies

Surf Coast Shire general manager culture and community Chris Pike said council was preparing to welcome hundreds of school leavers to the area for their end-of-year celebrations in late November and early December.

“Lorne typically sees the largest influx and, after a quiet 2021, we expect this trend to continue based on what we’ve heard from accommodation providers,” Mr Pike said.

“Our youth team has been working with partners including Victoria Police, Red Frogs

Australia, Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority, Harm Reduction Victoria, Great Ocean Road Health and local accommodation providers and traders.

“Together we’re implementing the ‘Good Times, Great Breaks’ program which has been very effective at supporting school leavers in recent years.

“We know that these young people will be excited to celebrate the end of school after a

challenging couple of years, and we want them to come and enjoy themselves safely.”

Originally published as Tourism groups aim to get schoolies to stay in region for summer work