Jonahs_mummy

My mum (who lives on the Gold Coast) has told me about a Current Affairs TV Show she watched last evening (06/12/04) about how the Hospitality Industry in Australia is going overseas for staff, especially Chefs, as they cannot fill the jobs they have with suitably qualified people......

She cannot recall what it was called or what channel it was on....

Does it ring any bells? Did anybody watch it? If so, can you remember any of the details of the recruitment companies/hotels, etc that were coming to Europe for staff?

We think it would be a good idea to get in touch with companies that do this maybe to chat with them about my hubbys prospects as he is a Head Chef......

**Fingers Crossed**

Thanks in advance guys!

ABCDiamond

It was the Channel 7 "Today Tonight" program

Here's the link.
http://seven.com.au/todaytonight/story/?id=17591

and the full story:
The skill shortage across Australia in the hospitality industry has been described as chronic. In desperation, employers have started recruiting from overseas.

Wanted: 2,000 cooks, 2,500 front staff, 1,500 supervisors. No it's not a chain of international hotels looking for personnel as part of its global expansion, just Australia's hotel, restaurant, and catering industry desperate to prop up its dwindling army with new troops.

But it seems nobody wants the jobs.

John Hart from Restaurant and Catering Australia represents 5,800 cafes and restaurants.

"We were looking for high places in management," Mr Hart said. "We couldn't get positions filled."

Wasting hundreds of dollars each week advertising for staff and not getting them, Damien Silk, owner of the Welcome Hotel in the Sydney suburb of Balmain took drastic action.

He flew to Ireland and immediately found the three chefs and two managers he was looking for.

"I gave them a plane ticket across," Mr Silk said. "Isn't that expensive."

Filona Healy reckons coming to Australia as Mr Silk's head chef was the best decision she's ever made.

"I was offered a great position," Ms Healy said. "I had a win-win situation."

With Australian's considered amongst the best at bar and restaurant work, they're highly sought after and land the better jobs overseas.

One idea is to allow student visitors here to take up positions but three month working visas are considered too restrictive. Hotel and restaurant owners say it doesn't give them enough time to train them up.

General Manager of Sydney's Observatory Hotel, Patrick Griffin, says another reason for staff shortages is with so many students graduating from hotel schools they don't want to be porters or waiters. They expect immediate entry at management level and very often head overseas.

"It's becoming increasingly difficult to get good staff," Mr Griffin said.

"There's a worldwide shortage."

Mr Griffin says a waiter or a porter pay package would be around $30,000 which compares very favourably with other industries in a similar situation.

"It really is having a huge impact on business," Mr Hart said. "But young people are hungry for work, but it's hard work, long hours."

Mr Hart is already in negotiations with the Immigration Department over the extension of student work visas but expects no breakthrough in the short term.

"High season upon us, we're going to see restaurants close," Mr Hart said.

"You've got to think outside the square," Mr Silk said. "And jump on a plane."

Pollyana

ABC to the rescue again!!!

Jonahs_mummy

thankyou guys! Thats great!

debsy

Hiya I did not see the tv programme but i have seen loads of chefs jobs advertised. Have a look on some of the job websites or try an agency that specialises in hospitality. I think one of them is called executive search international.

Good luck.

brisnick

didn't see tv, but there's a big sign at the top of adelaide st in brisbane crying out for 101 chefs (or something like that).

bondipom

Big warning about ACA and today tonight. They are all hype, often have agendas and can be sponsored by outside companies paying to influence the findings of the stories. I refuse to watch and would take anything said with a pinch of salt.

ABCDiamond

Job Info for Chefs from the Government Jobsearch site.

Jonahs_mummy

Hi guys


Update for you - We contacted the people who were on the Today Tonight Programme via their website, but all the email addressess do not exist!!!! We got lots of returned emails saying that they cannot find the emaila dressess.... oh well. Thanks for all the help. We are sending out letters & emails left & right to all the big hotels/restaurants on the Gold Coast... you never know - somebody might want him! LOL


C

xxx

ABCDiamond

You could always phone the guy that was interviewed, John Hart, CEO Restaurant & Catering Australia on 0407 554 878

He is the one who said