A new campaign encouraging Western Australians to undertake working holidays within their own state has been given the tick of approval by the WA branch of the Australian Hotels Association, which says it will help address workforce shortages in the hotel and hospitality industry.

Announced on Thursday, Work and Wander out Yonder calls for 18-30 year olds to take the opportunity to earn money and gain experience through employment opportunities in regional areas such as Margaret River, the Wheatbelt, Exmouth and Esperance.

AHA(WA) CEO Bradley Woods said the initiative would help fill critical workforce shortages in WA’s regional hotels and hospitality venues, which had experienced "significant difficulties" in recruiting the staff required to operate their businesses at full capacity since the onset of the pandemic.

At a glance: 

• The Australian Hotels Association (WA) has welcomed a new campaign from the state government encouraging regional work.
• Work and Wander out Yonder calls for 18-30 year olds to take the opportunity to earn money and gain experience through employment opportunities in regional areas such as Margaret River, the Wheatbelt, Exmouth and Esperance.
• AHA(WA) CEO Bradley Woods said the initiative would help fill critical workforce shortages in WA’s regional hotels and hospitality venues

“The significant challenges COVID-19 has presented WA’s hospitality industry have been compounded by an alarming shortage of skilled workers in regional areas,” he said.

“This campaign is a welcome step in the right direction and aims to highlight the appealing career paths and short term work opportunities that exist in WA’s most sought after holiday destinations.”

“Intrastate tourism is currently booming as a result of the successful Wander out Yonder campaign but in order to maximise this success it is essential that businesses are able to source the workers they require.”

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AHA (WA) CEO Bradley Woods. Source: AHA (WA)

He added that it was "imperitave" to find a way to fill the void left by the approximately 50,000 working holiday makers that had left Australia as a result of COVID-19

“This campaign is extremely appealing for those Western Australians looking for work," he said.

"They will have an array of attractive employment opportunities to choose from and the cherry on top is the fact that the jobs are located in world-class holiday destinations.”

“The AHA has worked closely with the WA Government to ensure the Work and Wander out Yonder campaign is a success and commends Premier McGowan and Minister Paul Papalia for their commitment to addressing WA’s workforce shortages in the hotel and hospitality industry.”

Click here to find out more about the campaign.

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