By Olivia Condous
While restrictions are lifted and Victorians back out and about, many businesses across the state are struggling to meet customer demands with staff shortages hitting hard.
Although the latest national unemployment rate figure is 4 per cent, almost a record low, many local business owners have still found it difficult to find workers.
Melton restaurant Urban 35 manager Rita Scicluna said she and the business’ owners had to work up to 90 hours per week in order to keep the venue open.
“If we were able to find staff, we’d be able to operate over a lot more hours,” she said.
As the owner of The Royal Hotel in Bacchus Marsh, Melanie Harding said a lack of support for the hospitality venues during the pandemic meant many workers had moved onto other industries.
“They weren’t supported during the lockdown… they’re not coming back to hospitality anymore.”
As the owner of a small business, Ms Harding found she’d been unable to compete with big corporate hospitality chains who could afford to raise staff wages in order to attract more employees.
“They’ve got that money to do it, whereas the little people don’t,” she said.
Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Andrew McKellar said the low unemployment rate had coincided with the most severe workforce shortages in 48 years and the highest job vacancy rate ever recorded.
“Without a comprehensive strategy to address workforce shortages, businesses who are already stretched with an ultra-tight labour market will be pushed to breaking point,
“The next federal government must pull all the levers it can to address chronic skills shortages,” Mr McKellar said.
“A commitment to consistent and long-term funding of Vocational Education and Training is essential to rebuilding our local skills base, locking in support for subsidised training to quickly upskill job seekers and prepare them for work.”
