Skills shortage hits the Gold Coast
There’s a skills shortage of chefs all over Australia.
And it’s hit some places, renowned for being food hubs, particularly hard.
That includes the Gold Coast.
Consider the stats: the Gold Coast has a youth unemployment rate of 12 per cent. But there are now more than 60 vacant positions.
Careers Australia Industry Development manager Casey Pippin said the problem was about to get worse in the lead up to the Christmas and peak summer seasons.
“We know of so many restaurants and cafes on the Coast that are advertising for positions but can’t find anyone to fill them,” Mr Pippen told the Gold Coast Bulletin.
“They range from front-of-house to executive chef positions.”
Mr Pippen started his career in the food and beverage department at Movie World.
He said the situation now is that young people are reluctant to pursue careers in the kitchen because it’s the kind of work that involves low pay and unsocial hours.
But he said the opportunities are there because the industry on the Gold Coast is changing.
“The rise of a thriving daytime cafe culture is seeing many cafes become a la carte and working hours are becoming more social, with fewer split shifts and earlier finishing times,’’ he said.
“Like any job, salaries start low but the opportunities as a chef are huge — you can travel the world.”
Matt Burke, who bought the Raw Energy cafe in Coolangatta and who expanded to a second outlet at Burleigh Heads, said he has successfully recruited school leavers.
There are around 30 cafes in a small block in Burleigh alone and we’re all competing for good chefs,” Mr Burke told the Gold Coast Bulletin.
“We’ve worked closely with local schools to sell the industry which has helped us reap the rewards by hiring a lot of great, talented young people.
“My head manager started as a trainee and is now virtually running both cafe sites.
“There is a high demand for people with experience. New restaurants and cafes are constantly opening on the Coast and there is such creativity with food. This is a career where you can travel and have a great life.”
by Leon Gettler, September 30th 2016
