WA calls for more mature age workers to join tourism, hospitality industry

Cable Beach, Broome, Western Australia - 10th of April 2013.
Edited by Travel Weekly


The Western Australian Government has rolled out a series of hospitality and tourism recruitment initiatives to encourage those aged 45 years and older to consider taking up roles in the industry.

This includes a Tourism and Hospitality Connect event being held by Tourism WA today at Perth Town Hall connecting mature age job seekers with employers.

With more than 80 participants registered to attend, the event will provide an insight into potential job opportunities and showcase the benefits of working in the sector.

The event and wider campaign activity is aimed at mature aged jobseekers and is supported by the WA Government to address skills shortages in the industry and support the development and growth of local businesses.

Western Australia’s tourism minister Rita Saffioti said the initiatives will enhance opportunities for mature age people to earn an income through casual or part-time work.

“This campaign to encourage prospective mature age employees to take roles in tourism and hospitality perfectly complements the WA Government’s $3.9 million commitment to develop workforce skills in the industry,” she said.

Training and upskilling incentives are available for the cohort of jobseekers aged 45 years and over who are considering working in tourism and hospitality roles.

This includes free training and job placement assistance through the WA Government’s Job Reconnect Program, as well as up to $1,500 to cover work-related costs such as equipment and uniforms.

Additionally, WA tourism operators and businesses are being encouraged to recruit mature age employees through a range of State and Commonwealth Government incentives.

This latest campaign and event builds on the significant investment that the WA Government has made to workforce attraction initiatives being implemented by Tourism WA through the Tourism Workforce Development Program.

This includes funding short-term programs to address the current shortage of workers, while also building a pipeline of talent for the future.

Employers in tourism and hospitality are encouraged to advertise their job vacancies on the westernaustralia.jobs portal to connect with prospective employees.


Featured Image: Cable Beach, Broome, Western Australia (iStock/Pomemick)

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