THE pool of job seekers in the Swan Hill region is drying and employers are scratching their heads unable to fill vacancies as the regions experience new record-low unemployment rates.
Latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) showed regional Victoria’s unemployment rate was 3.3 per cent, well below the national regional average of 4.2 per cent.
In the three months to October 2021, the unemployment rate in regional Victoria fell by 0.3 percentage points and most regional areas experienced a decline in unemployment rates.
It’s unclear if the Swan Hill region’s unemployment rate had dropped.
Murray Mallee Local Learning and Employment Network (MMLLEN) executive officer Deborah Quin said there was competition across all of Australia for skilled workers.
“Even in hospitality where in metro areas hourly rates are up to $60 per hour – regional areas cannot compete with this,” she said.
Ms Quin said the rate drop in unemployment was being witnessed on the ground.
“With the number of job vacancies traffic on our Connect U job portal, some are being advertised for some time as unable to fill,” she said.
The Swan Hill Connect U provides a platform that increases awareness of specific industry needs and opportunities for individuals, education sectors and service providers.
The website also includes the Swan Hill regional job link portal, connecting local employment opportunities to local job seekers.
Ms Quin said there were sufficient job opportunities for young people in the region, with hundreds of vacancies on the job portal ranging from teachers to harvest workers.
“An example is feedback from Workforce Partners Australia director Robin Kuhne where there are 40 apprenticeships/traineeships in the region presently,” she said.
“Additionally the access to seasonal harvest work is always available.
“With hospitality opening back up, there will be entry-level employment opportunities for young people.”
But she said with choice of employment opportunities, employers needed to more “proactive” in encouraging young people back in the hospitality industry, with career pathways, conditions, training and wages.
Murray Downs Golf and Country Club chief executive Greg Roberts recently told The Guardian there was a significant shortage of hospitality workers as Victoria emerged out of damaging lockdowns.
“It is industry wide and very difficult to get anyone with any experience at all,” Mr Roberts said.
“This is not just an issue for river communities, but all of Victoria.”
The local hospitality business has lost more than 45 employees since the start of the pandemic, many of which still haven’t been replaced.
Mr Roberts said Murray Downs Golf and Country Club, which also operates Swan Hill Club and Spoons Riverside, has recently lost four full-time qualified supervisors to other industries, such as council and employment agencies where their jobs are more secure.
“This has been a significant issue,” he said.
“We have also lost over 45 staff in total, including casuals, since the beginning of pandemic and are still looking to replace many of those positions.”
Mr Roberts said hospitality could be a fun industry to join, with no previous experience or qualifications as these could be completed on the job.
“It can lead to work skills that can be transferable to workplaces anywhere in the world,” he said.
“If dedicated and committed it can lead to management positions with excellent opportunities around the country.”
Ms Quin said there were “many” employment opportunities in the horticulture, aged care, health and community services together with the traditional trades areas.
“Majority of young people are not users of print media, and it is unknown how much traffic is undertaken through The Guardian online with job vacancies,” she said.
“At our Connect U portal, we are proposing for this to be a consolidation of all job vacancies in the Swan Hill region to make it simpler for people to understand opportunities.”
Ms Quin also said it was “extremely difficult” for new employees (coming from outside the region) to obtain accommodation to either purchase or rent.
Treasurer Tim Pallas said as the state reopened, job opportunities were expected to continue to grow.
Minister for Regional Development Mary-Anne Thomas said: “Regional Victoria has proved resilient during an incredibly tough time for all Victorians”.
“We are on the path to a new normal and regional Victoria’s unemployment rates are a positive step in that direction.”
