WA government to invest $8 million to address worker shortages

The McGowan Government has committed almost $4 million over the next two years to develop workforce skills for the tourism and hospitality industries.

The Tourism Workforce Development Program will fund short-term programs to address the current shortage of workers while also building a pipeline of talent for the future.

Many of the programs have a focus on connecting local people with local jobs across the State, including longer-term initiatives aimed at encouraging young people to consider careers in tourism and hospitality.

Bespoke job-ready training and accredited micro modules will be delivered in partnership with regional TAFE campuses and through initiatives connecting prospective workers directly with local employers.

"Supporting businesses with filling job vacancies, helping to retain workers and upskilling job seekers is essential to the industries' success and a high priority for the McGowan Government.

"This program will lead to more workers being trained to fill immediate vacancies while also building a pipeline of talent for the future.

The Australian Hotels Association (WA) has welcomed the announcement.

AHA(WA) CEO Bradley Woods said the significant funding allocated towards the Discover the Other Side recruitment campaign and the Tourism Workforce Development Program will be warmly welcomed by hoteliers, publicans and restaurateurs across the state.

“Addressing labour shortages is currently the number one issue for those running hotels and hospitality venues, so it is encouraging to see the WA Government allocating resources that match the scale of the problem,” Mr Woods said.

“As the world emerges from COVID-19, the global competition for skilled and unskilled workers is fierce, so it is critical that WA puts its best foot forward through a targeted recruitment campaign.”

Tourism WA and AHA WA created the westernaustralia.jobs portal and this will be promoted to to interstate and New Zealand workers to promote employment opportunities in Western Australia to work at its hotels, bars, pubs, taverns, restaurants, and tourism businesses.

“Hospitality and tourism employers have long advocated for greater investment in fundamental and practical skills such as barista courses, RSA training and customer service, all of which will be delivered as part of today’s announcement.”

The AHA also welcomes yesterday’s announced changes to WA’s migration program settings making it easier for skilled workers to migrate to the state and take up opportunities in the hotel and hospitality industry.

Photo of the Belgian Beer Cafe, Western Australia, with thanks to Endeavour Group.