As the hotel and foodservice industries continue to feel the effects of staff shortages, a new survey finds most high school students are eager to get straight into work and over two thirds are looking at hospitality.
The research found 83.80 per cent of school leavers are not going to have a “gap” year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and 88.73 per cent were looking for part- or full-time time work now that high school has ended.
Importantly, as the industry desperately seeks newcomers, 68.31 per cent say they would be happy to work in hospitality.
“The hospitality industry has been battling with nationwide lockdowns, forced restrictions and a significant staff shortage due to the lack of backpackers travelling to Australia this year, and this influx of young talent could be crucial at helping the nation’s venues get back on their feet,” suggests Jeffrey Williams, CEO and Founder of Barcats, which commissioned the independent survey.
Barcats is a hospitality community servicing Australia and New Zealand, counting 83,000 workers and 21,500 venues. The digital platform launched in 2017 and connects venues looking to hire with quality nearby staff looking to work.
The research cites 76.06 per cent of students looking for part-time work to supplement their higher education, and 12.67 per cent looking for full-time work.
Many high school students (59.16 per cent) report feeling anxious about finding a job now school had ended, but 78.17 per cent still plan to go to university, college or TAFE.
The survey found a key driver for jobseekers was pressure to become more self-sufficient, but they hold questions around “where do I start”; the research found 19.72 per cent of students saw a lack of training as the biggest barrier to working in hospitality.
Acknowledging that employers are looking for starters with a little more than just an RSA certificate, Barcats is working with companies such as Allara, William Angliss, Australian Pacific Colleges, Nestle, Diageo and Treasury to get post-schoolies through free work-ready training.
“We’ve partnered with key training partners and launched a series of free five-day courses where students, and job seekers of all ages, can get fully equipped with every certificate and essential skill required to instantly and confidently get a job in hospitality,” says Jeffrey Williams, CEO.
The training partners are organised and aggregated by Barcats as specialists in specific areas, such as kitchen, bar, and back and front of house.
Barcats is footing the bill for the RSA and RCG certificates. There is no charge for people doing the courses. The company is in consultation with government to see how they might further support the initiative for broader roll-out.
It is hoped the free comprehensive courses will encourage more students to join the industry, offering the enticement of saving on tuition fees while also gaining job connections and leaving fully employable.
Graduates will hold the required certificates (RSA and RCG), knowledge of hygiene, food safety and COVID-19 compliance, and practical training in pragmatic essentials, such as how to pour a pint, how to three-plate carry and customer service.
“It’s almost their induction week,” suggests Williams. “We’re placing a lot of people on the back of this – youngsters as well as mature age, over 55s getting back into the workforce.
“The reality is we’re not going to have internationals come back in for at least 12 months. We need to create a pathway for these youngsters into a career … it’s going to make the industry more sustainable into the future.”
The five-day essential hospitality courses are currently available in Sydney and Brisbane, with courses in Perth and Melbourne set to launch 2021.
Barcats reports over 1,000 registrations already and hundreds of jobs available, including regional opportunities in the Whitsundays’ Hamilton Island, NSW’s Hunter Valley and Broome in north-west WA.
COURSES
NSW, Sydney
Barcats report there will be three courses in January, three in February and three in March.
Further details at barcats.com.au
QUEENSLAND
Brisbane: January 4 – 8 (Brisbane City)
Gold Coast: January 18 – 22 (location to be determined)
Barcats reports they are also looking to do courses in Townsville and Cairns.
VICTORIA & WA
Course dates and locations to be finalised over coming weeks pending discussions on logistics with partners and government.