AFTA urges Minister to tackle travel workforce woes

AFTA urges Minister to tackle travel workforce woes

AFTA’s Workforce Taskforce has met with Minister for Skills and Training, Brendan O’Connor to tackle the skills and workforce shortages that continue to constrain travel’s full post-COVID recovery.

The meeting, which took place on Monday, covered significant ground, including the need for both accredited and non-accredited in-house training to develop entry-level and operational staff, according to The Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) CEO Dean Long.

“The reality of the ongoing massive challenge of workforce and skills shortages in travel is hampering recovery at a time when the hunger to travel is sharp, and the booking complexities greater than ever before,” said Long.

“Australia’s travel professionals are doing all they can to bridge the shortfall but it’s not sustainable which is why we are grateful to have the on-going dialogue with Federal Government.”

AFTA established the National Taskforce for Workforce and Careers to help the industry overcome the chronic workforce shortages which are holding back its full recovery.

AFTA continues to provide opportunities for members to speak directly to Government on the issues impacting them supported by detailed policy positions which government can implement.


Featured image: L to R: Jenny Lambert, CTM’s Nicole Galliford, AFTA’s Dean Long, Minister Brendan O’Connor, ACCI’s John Hart, Express Travel Management’s Alisha Dopper (Flight Centre’s Kylie Conboy participated online)

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