MEDIA RELEASE
28 September 2022
Industries team up to encourage winter workers to stay in NZ for summer
Industries struggling to find staff are teaming up to encourage South Island winter resort workers to stay and work over summer to help alleviate labour shortages.
Hospitality New Zealand has joined government employment, education and training website Connected.govt.nz and Go With Tourism to host speed networking / job fair-style events where workers can talk to employers to see what’s on offer.
But the first event has proved to be less of a success than hoped for.
Hospitality NZ Chief Executive Julie White says the idea is to catch winter workers before their contracts on the mountains finish.
“This is about industry coming together to help solve our staffing crisis.
“We’re hoping to keep the winter workers in town before their contracts finish.
“With housing an issue, we’re hoping they can get extension options before their accommodation leases expire.
“There will be heaps of jobs coming up in summer and we really need as many of these people to stay and help us with that as we can.
“Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, it’s clear we will be struggling to find the staff we need.
“At the event in Queenstown last night just 100 turned up to consider the 624 jobs on offer from 45 employers across hospitality, tourism, retail, construction, and aviation, as well as 5000 vacancies the horticulture industry is trying to fill.
“Some left with job offers, others with interviews arranged, but it’s nowhere near enough to solve the shortages.
“Hopefully we’ll have more success in Wanaka tonight, where 330 jobs are on the table with 40 employers.”
ENDS
For media enquiries, contact: media@hospitality.org.nz
Hospitality New Zealand National Service Centre 0800 500 503
Hospitality New Zealand is Aotearoa’s leading nationwide hospitality industry association covering commercial accommodation and food and beverage businesses. It is a not-for- profit organisation that supports over 3,000 members. To find out more visit www.hospitality.org.nz, or connect on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.