Re-thinking a career in hospitality

The NSW Government has launched a major recruitment campaign in Willoughby to help ease staff shortages across the hospitality industry.

Minister for Hospitality and Racing Kevin Anderson launched the new campaign Kickstart Your Career in Hospitality campaign at the Willoughby Hotel in Sydney over the weekend.

The objective is to promote the industry as an opportunity for a long-term career, rather than as an adjunct to study or a stop-gap on the way to something else.

Mr Anderson said, “The NSW Government is already providing significant support to entice people to join the industry or upskill, through a variety of free short training courses. This will now be promoted by a targeted campaign to encourage people to consider starting their career in hospitality.

“Hospitality has traditionally been viewed as a short-term employment option, but this campaign highlights the broad range of opportunities that exist for people wanting a rewarding and long-term career.”

The five week campaign has been designed in partnership with ClubsNSW, Australian Hotels Association and NSW Restaurant and Caterers Association and will roll out across TikTok and in partnership with Pedestrian TV, steering jobseekers to a new hospitality career site.

AHA NSW Director of Liquor and Policing John Green said pubs in both regional and urban areas of NSW were desperate for workers as the busy festive season approached.

“Nationwide we are looking at a shortage of more than 100,000 in the hospitality sector ranging from kitchen hands and bar staff to chefs and cooks,” Mr Green said.

“This new social media campaign is a step in the right direction to encourage more people to join our vibrant industry and we congratulate the Minister.”