Wagga is Hiring campaign helping business and jobseekers as staff shortages pose 'significant challenge'
Written by Jarryd Rowley - article originally published by Region Media here.
22 March 2023
Murray Riverina Local Jobs Program chair Angela Rey said the Wagga is Hiring campaign had helped more than 60 people find employment across the Riverina since the beginning of the campaign at the start of March. Photo: Supplied.
Jobseekers have been given the chance to find work thanks to a newly launched online hiring campaign from the Murray Riverina Local Jobs Program and Committee 4 Wagga (C4W).
The campaign aims to support businesses looking for positions by creating job vacancies on the Murray Riverina Local Jobs Program website and putting them in contact with potential employees.
Wagga is Hiring has so far helped 60 people secure employment and is looking to expand with organisations such as Charles Sturt University and Riverina Water.
Murray Riverina Local Jobs Program chair Angela Rey believes the program has already been a great success for businesses and job seekers alike.
“We have received a great volume of interest from employees that has resulted in a pleasing amount of people finding positions,” Mrs Rey said.
“Staff shortages are a significant challenge for many businesses right now. The Wagga is Hiring Campaign aims to ease some of the pressure on businesses by better connecting jobseekers into these available jobs.”
People looking to apply for jobs can do so by visiting and registering their details at The Hiring List, while businesses are being encouraged to add job details at the Murray/Riverina hiring website.
C4W chair Adam Drummond said jobseekers should consider looking for careers in administration, hospitality and community services, where workforce shortages were significant.
Harrisons Joinery is one of many businesses, across a range of sectors, looking to fill positions during the Wagga is Hiring campaign. Photo: Supplied.
“This four-week, short-boost campaign is designed to encourage job seekers and employers in Wagga Wagga to be matched immediately across all sectors, but at no cost to the employer or jobseeker. This is an important saving for both parties,” Mr Drummond said.
“If you’re a job seeker, student, or existing worker looking for extra hours, you should seriously consider a job or career in high-demand industries such as hospitality, community services, transport, manufacturing or construction, and jump on to the Wagga is Hiring website.”
Despite unemployment rates sitting at a post-COVID low, there is still an ever-growing need for professional and entry-level jobs in the Riverina.
“There are lots of reasons as to why positions are yet to be filled. Since COVID, the number of migrant workers has dropped off significantly, and a lot of people are looking to change careers paths,” Mrs Rey said.
“Businesses have also looked to expand in the last year or so, and with that come new opportunities and new positions.”
The Wagga is Hiring campaign launched at the beginning of March, but despite plans to only run until the end of the month, Mrs Rey believes there is potential to extend the program until mid-April.
“We have just over a week of the program left, but with the way people and businesses have taken to the campaign, we may look to extending it a couple of weeks,” she said.
”It has been extremely positive and if the demand is still there, we will definitely look at giving people ample opportunity.”