DOZENS of employers and job advertisments were showcased at the South Gippsland Jobs Expo last week.
Employers from across a range of industries such as farming, health, disability support and council crammed into Memorial Hall in search of jobseekers.
The Sentinel-Times spoke with Michelle Marriott, who was representing Capeview Building Products and Coldon Homes, about the challenges they’re facing finding staff.
“At the moment, we’re looking for building supervisors and maintenance positions, pretty much all qualified trades,” she said.
“While we employ people directly, we also have a great local subcontractor base.
“For our factory we’re looking for frame and truss fabricators and experienced cabinet makers.”
Michelle highlighted that they were somewhat still feeling the effects of the pandemic to a degree.
She said they’re trying to ramp up employment to clear a backlog of projects and prepare for a significant amount of new and upcoming works around the region, which is very exciting.
“We cover right across Bass Coast and South Gippsland to Port Albert,” she said.
Fortunately, she noted workers were increasingly relocating to the region for job opportunities.
While for Disability Connect Victoria, they are urgently seeking support workers in Phillip Island and Warragul.
“Those areas are our two most urgent positions, but we also cover Leongatha and Wellington Shire,” personnel coordinator Aaron Pendlington said.
“Last week we were fine and we didn’t need any staff, but now we have almost 10 positions to fill… it’s very volatile.”
Aaron highlighted this was due to having a highly casual workforce with many workers not wanting to switch to part-time.
“Support workers assist with clients everyday living needs and achieving goals,” he said.
“The biggest thing for them is to achieve a goal, it might be very simple, a client has to learn how to make a cup of tea, all the way to clients with disabilities that need to be fed, bathed or showered.”
He also noted that qualification requirements varied, depending on the clients need.
Expo success
The South Gippsland Jobs Expo attracted more than 200 job seekers, generating many connections with prospective employers.
South Gippsland Council hosted the event in conjunction with Workforce Australia, and the jobs expo was a chance for job seekers to meet with employers to speak about current job opportunities, apprenticeships and career options in South Gippsland and the surrounding region.
Thirty-six local employers attended the expo, each with multiple job vacancies. In addition, there were over 250 vacancies listed on a jobs board displayed on site.
The expo aligns to one of the key actions Council’s Economic Development Strategy, to support industry to access a skilled and ready workforce.
“The South Gippsland Jobs Expo was a terrific event that brought job seekers and employees together. Already we have heard some positive outcomes from the event, including job interviews being scheduled and people considering relocating to our region, based on job availability. I would like to thank all of the employers who participated at the expo, and the job seekers who attended,” said Cr Nathan Hersey, Mayor South Gippsland Shire Council.
